Tesla is among the companies that have invested heavily in the development of electric and self-driving cars. Among the key features of the company’s cars is the collision avoidance system. This system is designed to keep passengers safe. However, recently, one of Tesla’s cars was involved in a fatal collision. Investigations launched to establish why the collision happened revealed that the collision avoidance system was not engaged (Levin 2018). While this accident was tragic, it reveals the need for the refinement of car collision avoidance systems (CCAS). These systems hold the key to making roads safer.
Avoidance Systems in Cars
As the name suggests, CCAS are meant to keep drivers safe by keeping cars clear of other vehicles or obstacles on the road. While all CCAS serve the same purpose, they serve their function using different mechanisms. Engaging the automatic brakes is one of the mechanisms (‘Cars with Advanced’ 2018). When the threat of a collision is detected, the CCAS lowers the speed of the car by engaging the brakes. Another mechanism that underlies CCAS is forward-collision warning. Essentially, forward-collision warning involves issuing alerts to the driver when an obstacle is detected. Blind-spot warning is another mechanism that constitutes CCAS (‘Cars with Advanced’ 2018). Through this mechanism, drivers receive notifications when they engage their turn signal when another vehicle is next to one’s car.
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The mechanisms above allow CCAS to perform their functions. Other technologies that make up CCAS include rear cross-traffic warning, rear automatic emergency braking (rear EAB), lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist (‘Cars with Advanced’ 2018). Basically, the rear cross-traffic warning notifies a driver when they face the risk of colliding with a vehicle behind them and the vehicle is beyond the range of the rear camera. On the other hand, the rear EAB brings the vehicle to a halt when it backs up on an obstacle such as another vehicle. The lane departure warning notifies the driver when they are crossing lanes and risks colliding with another vehicle or an obstacle (‘Cars with Advanced’ 2018). For vehicles to employ these mechanisms, they need to be equipped with sensors which monitor the situation on the road and provide the driver with the information they need to drive safely.
Benefits and Drawbacks
CCAS present drivers with a number of benefits. Reducing the risk of crashes is one of these benefits (Jamson, Lai & Carsten 2008). One study conducted in 2009 established that vehicles that were fitted with CCAS resulted in a 7% reduction in the number of crashes (Linkov 2015). While this figure seems modest, it should be remembered that with every drop in the risk of collision, human lives are saved. Reducing the severity of collisions is another benefit that CCAS present. It is true that the CCAS cannot be expected to fully eliminate the risk of crashes. However, even when the crashes occur, drivers are likely to sustain injuries that are not as serious as those that would occur if the vehicle lacks CCAS (Harper, Hendrickson & Samaras 2016). The CCAS also help to reduce the cost of traffic collisions. These costs include the financial burden of treating those injured in collisions and repairing damaged cars.
That CCAS present numerous benefits. However, it is important to acknowledge that this technology possesses some drawbacks which hinder their effectiveness. The cost of fitting them onto vehicles is among the drawbacks (Linkov 2015). To equip their vehicle with CCAS, a driver would need to part with significant amounts. Vehicles which are already fitted with CCAS also tend to be rather costly. Another drawback is that CCAS relies on driver action (Linkov 2015). While the CCAS can engage the brake and notify the driver, ultimately, it remains the mandate of the driver to stay clear of obstacles. In the Tesla accident described earlier, it was determined that the driver failed to take action in good time to avoid the collision (Hull & Naughton 2018). Therefore, while they can expect to be safer on the road, drivers should not rely entirely on CCAS. Privacy concerns are another disadvantage of CCAS (Nibrad et al. 2015). To function properly, CCAS gathers data. Unscrupulous individuals may steal this data and use it for malicious purposes. Whereas it is true that CCAS has drawbacks and limitations, the numerous benefits that it offers justifies its continued adoption and use.
Evolution and Future of CCAS
CCAS has a long and intriguing history. As early as the 1950s, carmakers were releasing vehicles that were fitted with some form of CCAS. For example, Cadillac developed a vehicle which incorporated radar technology designed for collision avoidance (‘GM has Long Envisioned’ 2014). While this vehicle was never produced commercially, it heralded a new age of car manufacturing. In late 20 th century, more carmakers began to experiment with various CCAS technologies. For example, Toyota released a model which featured a cruise control feature that was sold in the Japanese market. Since 2010, CCAS has been included in more car models. As a matter of fact, the CCAS is approaching a state where it will be a basic standard in vehicles. It is important to note that the European Union and the US government among the bodies that have spearheaded the development of CCAS technologies. Thanks to the efforts of the US government, CCAS has become an option in about 40% of vehicles on American roads (Golson 2016). The future of CCAS is promising. Various technologies that will enhance the effectiveness of CCAS are being developed. For example, vehicle-to-vehicle communication is a feature that it set to be part of the CCAS in self-driving cars. Traction control systems and active kinematics control are other technologies which promise to transform road safety (Shah 2017). The traction control systems are designed to promote safe steering particularly on slippery surfaces. Developed by such firms as Bosch and ZF, active kinematics control is intended to improve comfort levels and the stability of vehicles. Integrated brake control and pedal-travel sensor are other technologies which are in development (Shah, 2018). Upon their mass integration into car manufacturing, these technologies will undoubtedly play a critical role in enhancing road safety. The main difference between the past and future of CCAS concerns the sophistication and impact of this technology. In the past, CCAS was rather basic and had a rather dismal effect on road safety. On the other hand, this technology is expected to become more sophisticated in the future, thereby reducing collisions by a significant margin.
Car Brands and CCAS
All car manufacturers prioritize driver safety. Various car brands have taken steps to incorporate CCAS into their products. Acura, Alpha Romeo, Audi, BMW, Volvo, Volkswagen, Tesla and Subaru are among the brands with CCAS. For example, all the 2018 models of Tesla cars come with CCAS as a standard feature (‘Cars with Advanced’ 2018). The Model 3 has such features as forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning and blind-spot warning. Other car makers also include these features in their cars. Whereas some of the features are standard, a number of them are optional. By ensuring that their cars are equipped with CCAS, vehicle manufacturers demonstrate their dedication to the safety and wellbeing of drivers. In addition to seeking to minimize collisions, the car makers are also inspired by the threat of legal action in the event that a car is involved in a collision.
In conclusion, the world has made progress in improving road safety. CCAS have played a critical role in driving this progress. Such mechanics as forward collision warning help drivers to stay clear of obstacles which could cause collisions. The progress that has been made in road safety is the result of years of experiments and investments. Car companies have joined forces with governments to develop vehicles fitted with CCAS technologies. As these technologies are refined, a significant reduction in the number and severity of collisions can be expected.
References
‘Cars with advanced safety systems’ 2018, Consumer Reports, Accessed July 24, 2018 https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/cars-with-advanced-safety-systems/
‘GM has long envisioned a day when cars don’t crash’ 2014, ‘General Motors, Accessed July 24, 2018 https://media.gm.com/media/cn/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/cn/en/2014/Sep/0909_intelligent.html
Golson, J 2016, ‘Rear-end crashes go way down when cars can brake themselves’, The Verge, Accessed July 24, 2018 https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/27/10854478/iihs-collision-warning-autobrake-volvo-city-safety-research
Harper, C D, Hendrickson, C T & Samaras, C 2016, ‘Cost and benefit estimates of Partially-automated vehicle collision avoidance technologies’, Accident Analysis and Prevention, Vol. 95, pp. 104-115.
Hull, D & Naughton, K 2018, ‘Tesla blames driver in fatal crash as victim’s family lawyers up’, Bloomberg, Accessed July 24, 2018 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-11/tesla-says-inattentive-driver-to-blame-for-fatal-model-x-crash
Jamson, A H, Lai, F C H & Carsten, O M J 2008, ‘Potential benefits of an adaptive forward Collision warning system’, Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, Vol. 16, Iss. 4, pp. 471-484.
Nibrad, A, Kadbajiwar, A, Bhagwat, S, Nagula, M, Manchalwar, P & Khobragade, A 2015, ‘Secure technique for collision avoidance in vehicle-to-vehicle communication’, International Journal of Computer Science and Mobile Computing, Vol. 4, Iss. 1, pp. 497-502.
Levin, S 2018, ‘Tesla confirms autopilot involved in Utah crash but seeks to blame driver’, The Guardian, Accessed July 24, 2018 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/16/tesla-autopilot-utah-crash-confirms-investigation
Linkov, J 2015, ‘Collision-avoidance systems are changing the look of car safety’, Consumer
Reports, Accessed July 24, 2018 https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/collision-avoidance-systems-are-changing-the-look-of-car-safety/
Shah, R 2017, ‘Future technologies to avoid car crash’, Economic Times, Accessed July 24,
2018 from https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/auto-technology/future-technologies-to-avoid-car-crash/57375483
