If you were a kid in the 1960s or 1980s (or later), you might remember The Jetsons, a cartoon about a family living in the “future.” You might remember their flying car with all of its automations, which seemed unbelievable at the time... but is not quite so far-fetched now.
Granted, the show was set in 2062, which is still a way out—and maybe we will all be riding in flying cars by then.
Today, we could be one small step closer to the fully automated car that George Jetson drove.
In late April 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation established a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requiring any light-duty vehicle manufactured in 2029 or later to be equipped with automatic emergency braking. This standard applies to passenger vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks.
According to a representative at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Automatic emergency braking [AEB] is proven to save lives and reduce serious injuries from frontal crashes.” She adds that the technology for this is not only available, but so advanced that the systems are required to be more effective at higher speeds and to detect pedestrians in addition to vehicles.
How do automatic braking systems work?
A vehicle with an automatic emergency braking system contains sensors that detect when a crash is about to happen. The system will either apply the brakes itself or help the driver safely stop the vehicle. The rule will require that the system can stop a vehicle traveling up to 62 miles per hour to avoid a crash. If the system detects the presence of a pedestrian, it should be able to apply the brakes and stop itself from a speed of up to 45 miles per hour.
AEB systems use sensors such as radar, cameras, and lidar to detect potential collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles in the vehicle's path. When a potential collision is detected, the system intervenes by automatically applying the brakes to mitigate or avoid the impact. This advanced safety feature has proven to be highly effective in preventing accidents and reducing the severity of collisions.
Auto industry reaction to new safety standards
Certainly, every automobile manufacturer wants to have the reputation that their vehicles are the safest. But they’re concerned that the level of performance that is required by these standards would require “significant hardware and software changes,” according to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.
Most new vehicles already have this technology. The NHTSA says it’s confident that the systems will be ready in all new vehicles by 2029.
Will this make new vehicles more expensive? Likely not. The federal government estimates the rule will cost about $23 per vehicle.
However, the results will hopefully be worth it. The NHTSA estimates that the new standards will prevent more than 350 road deaths each year and reduce severity of more than 24,000 injuries.
The NHTSA is also looking at technology that would prevent drunk driving. That’s still in development, but officials hope it could come to fruition. They say it could save 10,000 lives each year. The DOT is also working on an AEB rule for heavy-duty vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 pounds.
Are there limitations to the system?
Yes. The technology helps, but nothing replaces humans driving safely and following road rules. About 40% of fatal crashes are from T-bone (side impact) or left-turn collisions. These are nearly impossible to prevent with AEB.
What can we expect from the future of AEB systems in new vehicles?
One of the primary motivations behind this regulation is to address the alarming rate of road accidents caused by human error. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 94% of serious crashes are due to human factors such as distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving. By equipping vehicles with AEB systems, the USDOT aims to provide an additional layer of protection and assist drivers in avoiding common collision scenarios.
By setting forth a 2029 implementation date, the USDOT gives auto manufacturers time to effectively integrate AEB technology into new vehicles. It also provides time for development and testing to ensure reliability and performance under real-world conditions.
The benefits of AEB systems extend beyond collision prevention. Studies show that vehicles equipped with AEB experience fewer rear-end collisions, reduced severity of crashes, and lower insurance claims. Additionally, AEB technology complements other safety features such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot detection, collectively contributing to a safer driving experience.
While the mandate applies to new cars manufactured after 2029, it is expected to have a ripple effect on the automotive industry as a whole. Automakers are likely to accelerate the adoption of AEB systems across their vehicle lineup, making this life-saving technology more accessible to consumers.
However, this also requires public awareness and education. Drivers need to understand the capabilities and limitations of AEB systems to use them effectively. However, the move can help the automotive industry work toward a future with fewer accidents, injuries, and fatalities on U.S. roads.
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