Driver Assistance Systems (DAS) supporting drivers longitudinal behaviour are under development all over the world. By eliminating driver faults they are expected to contribute to better safety on the roads. Due to short reaction times closer gaps between vehicles should be possible. If this is legalised, some of the driving actions and responsibilities have to be taken by systems, by system producers or service providers, respectively. This would require a high degree of system security. It can be assessed that DAS will have effects on road capacities. Public authorities as road operators are interested to exploit or even optimise existing road capacities. However, it has to be stated that up till now fundamental traffic engineering questions concerning the introduction of driver assistance systems have not been solved. It should be considered how possible capacity effects can be quantified and which consequences have to be taken concerning the acceptance of driver assistance systems under the view point of traffic engineers. Technological research and development should continue in order to improve systems performances. This should be accompanied by legal considerations and political discussions and assessments as basis for decision if legal and regulatory frameworks should be modified.
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