SafeCar

MU ARC S centerpiece ADAS research activity has been the TAC SafeCar project It began in June 1999 and involved as key partners the dctorian Transport Accident Commission (TAC), MUARC and Ford Australia The study, which concluded in 2005, evaluated the technical operation, impact on driving performance and acceptability to drivers of three ADAS technologies Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) Following Distance Warning (FDW) and the Seatbelt Reminder (SBR). 

Fifteen vehicles equipped with these technologies, called SafeCars , were subleased to nine public and private companies in and around Melbourne and 23 drivers each drove one of the vehicles for a distance of at least 16,500 km. 

When the FDW system was active, drivers left a greater time gap between the SafeCar and the car in front and spent less time travelling at distances of less than one second. The system also increased the minimum distance reached between the SafeCar and vehicle in front on each trip. 

Driver acceptance of the SafeCar systenrs was high. They were generally rated as being useful, effective, user-friendly and socially acceptable. This was the case both before, and after, experience with the systems. No system reportedly increased mental workload. 

Australian TAC SafeCar Project. Monash University Accident Research Center, Clayton, AU. 

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