This paper describes the state-of-the-art of current knowledge on safety impacts of collision avoidance systems (CAS) in order to discuss the usability of that current knowledge for public policymaking. The usability is evaluated using three types of criteria: CAS-user needs, general road user needs and society demands. Problems were found in the currently used definitions of- and the relations between these criteria. Moreover, many safety evaluation studies hardly address these criteria together. For further research on safety impacts of CAS systems it is recommended to consider more than one and if possible all three safety levels (functional, driver and traffic safety) within an evaluation of a CAS. Furthermore the evaluation should address implementation issues like mixed traffic, system failures and possible driver adaptation. Currently, these implementation issues are often ignored which makes the usability of the results of such studies doubtful. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting