Impact analysis of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) regarding road safety – computing reduction potentials

In the present study road safety impact analysis for certain advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) was conducted. Based on a literature review, expert interviews and current adaptations in legislation, the most promising nine ADAS were selected. The impact was analysed based on statistical crash data from Austria. Factors such as infrastructure and weather conditions, market penetration, expected functionality of sensors, user acceptance and risk homeostasis were considered. A software tool was developed to calculate the crash reduction potential of the selected ADAS for the scenarios 2025, 2030 and 2040. The results show that the ADAS related to warning/braking have the greatest future reduction potential and could lead to a reduction of up to 8,700 crashes and 70 fatalities in Austria in 2040. In addition, the Intelligent Speed Assistance system would lead to an overall crash reduction of 8% compared to current crash numbers in Austria in 2040. The Turning Assistant for heavy goods vehicles shows the lowest reduction in crashes and casualties, but due to the highest severity per crash (93 fatalities per 1,000 crashes), it nevertheless provides an important contribution to the reduction of fatalities in road traffic. However, to benefit from the ADAS safety potential, it is highly relevant that these systems are used in a correct manner. In the future, it will be necessary to provide users with more information on the correct use, benefits and limitations of the respective ADAS and to integrate the use of these systems into driver education procedures and tests.