The Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (V&W) has set ambitious goals in relation to road safety: a reduction in the number of fatal accidents to 750 in 2010 and a maximum of 14,000 seriously injured (requiring hospital treatment). In the year 2000 there were 1,082 road deaths and an estimated 19,000 or more seriously injured (This means that in just over 10 years time a reduction of more than 30% in road deaths has to be achieved (compared with 1999). In terms of serious injuries (requiring hospitalisation) the goal is to achieve a reduction of around 25%. To achieve these goals numerous measures will be required in which modes of transport and technology will also have an important part to play. In this respect ISA (Intelligent Speed Adaptation) represents an example of transport technology which through external speed regulation is intended to have a positive influence on the risk of injury and the seriousness of injury. ISA has previously been studied in The Netherlands. In 1999 and 2000 a practical trial was held in which 20 vehicles were fitted with a mandatory speed-limiting version of ISA. The conclusions of this experiment were that the use of ISA would be accepted. The main reason for introducing ISA is the safety benefit which can be achieved. To be able to test this, a large scale trial is being considered. (A)
Abstract