The advent of advanced electronic, computer, and communication technologies provides an
opportunity for seeking new remedies that can help drivers avoid crashes. The Crash Avoidance and
Electronic Controls Research Program is seeking to develop a broad base of understanding that can
lead to the introduction of advanced crash avoidance systems.
The focus of NHTSA;s research on advanced technologies is to evaluate potential benefits of new and existing in-vehicle technologies. This research supports Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and safety defects investigations, advances knowledge about driver behavior, and assists in the development of new vehicle technologies.
The advanced technologies that are the subject of NHTSA's research program can be grouped into two categories: vehicle based systems, such as radar based collision warning systems; and cooperative vehicle safety systems that use vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems.
NHTSA conducts research to ensure the safety, security and reliability of the interconnected and complex automotive electronic systems. NHTSA is also conducting research along the continuum of automated driving.
Heavy vehicles include trucks and buses with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) rating of 10,000 pounds or more.
The vehicles represent a significant safety challenge for NHTSA, the commercial vehicle industry, and for our Nation, with an average of 4,000 fatalities and over 400,000 police reported crashes involving heavy vehicles occurring each year.
NHTSA is aggressively pursuing research related to crash avoidance technologies as well as crash mitigation solutions
The role of human factors research is to provide an understanding of how drivers perform as a system component in the safe operation of vehicles. NHTSA recognizes that driver performance is influenced by many environmental, psychological, and vehicle design factors.
The focus of the research is to determine which aspects of vehicle design should be modified to improve driver performance and reduce unsafe behaviors. An additional focus is to evaluate driver's capabilities to benefit from existing or new in-vehicle technologies.
The research supports Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, safety defects investigations, consumer information, and advancement of knowledge about driver behaviors and performance. Driver information, that can be applied to the development of vehicle technologies that are compatible with driver capabilities and limitations, is critical to the research.
