Latest AEB 100 Per Cent Effective In Preventing New Car Collisions At Lower Speeds
AAA research has found that 2024 model vehicles with automatic emergency braking avoided 100 per cent of forward collisions when tested at speeds up to 35 mph (56 km/h). In contrast, 2017 to 2018 model vehicles avoided collisions 51 per cent of the time.
The AAA used a group of six vehicles in its testing with three 2024-model-year cars – two from 2018 and one from 2017:
- 2018 Subaru Outback – Stereo Cameras
- 2018 Nissan Rogue (X-Trail) – Radar and Mono Camera
- 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee – Radar and Mono Camera
- 2024 Subaru Outback – Stereo Cameras
- 2024 Nissan Rogue (X-Trail) – Radar and Mono Camera
- 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee – Radar and Mono Camera
Despite the evolutionary achievement however, the association said more work is needed to make AEB comply with a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rule requiring new vehicles to avoid a forward collision at speeds up to 62 mph (100 km/h) by 2029.
Over the last decade, the AAA evaluated various advanced driver-assistance systems, including AEB, to determine if the technology performs as expected. While these systems continue to be refined with upgraded software and sensors, the AAA wanted to see if AEB functionality improved compared to older versions.
“Since we began testing AEB in 2014, the advancements by automakers are commendable and promising in improving driver safety,” said Greg Brannon, Director of Automotive Engineering Research. “There is still significant work ahead to ensure the systems work at higher speeds.”
According to data collected by the Federal Highway Administration, most of the US’s total miles are driven at speeds above 35 mph. AAA engineers added test scenarios to assess the limits of current AEB systems at higher speeds, with three out of four vehicles evaluated avoiding a 45-mph collision (72 km/h). For vehicles that passed that evaluation, the test speed was increased to 55 mph (89 km/h), but none of them avoided a collision at that speed.