Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems: Heavy-Truck Field Operational Test, Independent Evaluation

摘要

This report presents results from the independent evaluation of a field operational test using a fleet of heavy trucks outfitted with a prototype integrated crash warning system. This effort was conducted as part of the U.S. DOTs Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems (IVBSS) program. The system tested included rear-end, lane-change/merge, and lane departure crash warning functions. The goals of the evaluation were to assess safety impact and driver acceptance, and to characterize the prototype systems warning capabilities. Eighteen volunteer drivers from a commercial fleet operated the 10 equipped heavy trucks, accumulating 600,000 miles over a 10- month period. The test period consisted of 2 months of baseline driving, when the system was disabled, and an 8-month treatment period, when the system was enabled and warnings were presented to the drivers. Comparisons were made between baseline driving and the treatment period to determine the effect of system use on driver behavior and performance. Results from driver debriefings and surveys indicated that they had a favorable impression of the prototype system they used during the field trial, reporting that it was easy to learn and use. A majority of the drivers also said they would prefer driving a truck with the integrated system over a conventional, unequipped truck. Aside from improvements in lane-keeping behavior and turn signal use, results from the field test indicate that between 3,000 and 13,000 target crashes could be prevented annually by full deployment of integrated safety systems in the U.S. heavy-truck fleet.