The AUTOFORE project has covered a lot of ground since its commencement at the beginning of 2005. Any aspect of roadworthiness enforcement have been investigated and analysed. Clearly, the subject is a complex one and getting more complex with time. It can be expected that at least six new electronic systems over and above ESP/ESC will become commonplace in the next decade. These include Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Headlights, Adaptive Cruise Control, Intelligent Speed Adaptation, Crash Mitigation and Driver Alertness Monitoring. All are designed to improve safety, many by taking control out of the hands of the driver. Therefore they must be expected to work properly. If asked, most consumers appear to favour the idea of incorporating more protective systems into their vehicles. However, as research shows, they persistently fail to undertake basic condition checks on their vehicles and have a great capacity for ignoring warning lights indicating safety systems malfunction. The other major concern of consumers and, in a different way, politicians, is the cost of securing safety improvements through spending on technology, infrastructure or enforcement. A sign of this is that some member states in Europe are planning to reduce frequency of periodic testing while still remaining compliant with 96/96. Clearly, if it can be proved that a specific initiative has an implementation cost significantly less than quantifiable benefits then it becomes obviously attractive. Anything having a cost-to-benefit ratio of one or more is reckoned to be in this category although, given the imprecision in the calculations, most experts seem to prefer a ratio closer to two. If higher, so much the better. Some would argue that in any case, death and serious injury elimination is a major moral and social obligation whatever the cost. Therefore everything should be done to reduce the carnage on our roads. This includes tightening up periodic technical inspections and enforcement actions. This is the background against which the AUTOFORE project has been conducted. (Author/publisher) For the final report and other Workpackages of the AUTOFORE project see http://cita.weborigin.be/AUTOFORE%5FStudy/map.htm
Samenvatting