https://newsroom.aaa.com/2020/...d-more-to-interfere/

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 6, 2020) – AAA automotive researchers found that over the course of 4,000 miles of real-world driving, vehicles equipped with active driving assistance systems experienced some type of issue every 8 miles, on average. Researchers noted instances of trouble with the systems keeping the vehicles tested in their lane and coming too close to other vehicles or guardrails. AAA also found that active driving assistance systems, those that combine vehicle acceleration with braking and steering, often disengage with little notice – almost instantly handing control back to the driver. A dangerous scenario if a driver has become disengaged from the driving task or has become too dependent on the system. AAA recommends manufacturers increase the scope of testing for active driving assistance systems and limit their rollout until functionality is improved to provide a more consistent and safer driver experience.

Active driving assistance, classified as Level 2 driving automation on a scale of six (0-5) created by the SAE International, are advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that provide the highest level of automated vehicle technology available to the public today. This means for a majority of drivers, their first or only interaction with vehicle automation is through these types of systems, which according to AAA, are far from 100% reliable.

“AAA has repeatedly found that active driving assistance systems do not perform consistently, especially in real-word scenarios,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering and industry relations. “Manufacturers need to work toward more dependable technology, including improving lane keeping assistance and providing more adequate alerts.”

AAA tested the functionality of active driving assistance systems in real-world conditions and in a closed-course setting to determine how well they responded to common driving scenarios. On public roadways, nearly three-quarters (73%) of errors involved instances of lane departure or erratic lane position. While AAA’s closed-course testing found that the systems performed mostly as expected, they were particularly challenged when approaching a simulated disabled vehicle. When encountering this test scenario, in aggregate, a collision occurred 66% of the time and the average impact speed was 25 mph.

“Active driving assistance systems are designed to assist the driver and help make the roads safer, but the fact is, these systems are in the early stages of their development,” added Brannon. “With the number of issues we experienced in testing, it is unclear how these systems enhance the driving experience in their current form. In the long run, a bad experience with current technology may set back public acceptance of more fully automated vehicles in the future.”

AAA’s 2020 automated vehicle survey found that only one in ten drivers (12%) would trust riding in a self-driving car. To increase consumer confidence in future automated vehicles, it is important that car manufacturers perfect functionality as much as possible – like active driving assistance systems available now – before deployment in a larger fleet of vehicles. AAA has met with industry leaders to provide insight from the testing experience and recommendations for improvement. The insights are also shared with AAA members and the public to inform their driving experiences and vehicle purchase decisions.

Methodology

AAA conducted closed-course testing and naturalistic driving in partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center and AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah’s GoMentum Proving Grounds. Using a defined set of criteria, AAA selected the following vehicles for testing: 2019 BMW X7 with “Active Driving Assistant Professional”, 2019 Cadillac CT6 with “Super Cruise™”, 2019 Ford Edge with “Ford Co-Pilot360™”, 2020 Kia Telluride with “Highway Driving Assist” and 2020 Subaru Outback with “EyeSight®” and were sourced from the manufacturer or directly from dealer inventory. The 2019 Cadillac CT6 and the 2019 Ford Edge were evaluated only within naturalistic environments. For specific methodology regarding testing equipment, closed-course test scenarios and naturalistic routes, please refer to the full report here.

About AAA

AAA provides more than 60 million members with automotive, travel, insurance and financial services through its federation of 32 motor clubs and nearly 1,000 branch offices across North America. Since 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for safe mobility. Drivers can request roadside assistance, identify nearby gas prices, locate discounts, book a hotel or map a route via the AAA Mobile app. To join, visit AAA.com.

I am not surprised at the results. The first thing the salesperson does is turn off the devices so you will not be distracted during test drive. It does add nicely to the list price of the car and a repair bill should something go wrong.

^^ exactly. When I had a Subaru Outback with all that crap I turned it off. The lane departure one was the worst of them all.

I’m not necessarily a fan or a critic but having 3 of 4 cars in the household having such devices I doubt this studies accuracy. A malfunction every 8 miles? I must have amazing cars. Two of them I routinely drove 45 miles each way, mostly highway, and using said devices. I’ve never had the devices “have an issue”. Not even sure what that means actually. Like stop the car unexpectedly? Not stop the car? What? As for warning that it’s disconnecting, I think this is more a product of idiot Americans. They treat these devices like an excuse to stop being an active participant in the driving.

Even if self driving cars actually became mainstream in the future, they still will require a driver to monitor. That doesn’t mean watch Harry Potter on your iPad while the car drives itself. Someday maybe. Not anytime soon though.

I reread the article to make sure I understood. It seemed that drivers approaching a disabled vehicle expected the car to decide how to save them and crashed 2 out of every 3 times. Fucking dumb ass Americans is right. Seeing or not seeing most likely a stalled car they hit the car 66% of the time. That isn’t a problem with the car that’s a problem with the driver. They treat the car like it’s got the computer from Star Trek’s Enterprise driving it instead of a system to ASSIST.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pedropcola,

I don't like any of them, they are a nuisance and unnatural.

I do like some of the warning systems, the side blind spot warning with the warning light in the side mirror and the rear oncoming traffic alerts are great, they are not meant to be 100% though, still gotta use your senses

"'Nanny' devices" may be useful at times, but neither passive nor active ones can gauge the intent of the driver 100% of the time.

quote:

A dangerous scenario if a driver has become disengaged from the driving task or has become too dependent on the system.

We already have that. Over 50% of morning drivers leaving on their commute past my house are looking at a cellphone.

BTW, AAA, you seem to have become disengaged from the basics of sentence structure.

They are "driver assistance" systems. They aren't meant to replace being an attentive driver. When I use the adaptive cruise control on both my Mazda and Subaru for highway trips, I'm paying attention to the road situation ahead, have my hands on the wheel and my foot ready to go on the brake, and I turn off the system for highway entries and exits. Meanwhile, it's relaxing not to have to press the accelerator pedal as the miles go by.

I love the automatic braking system to avoid rear-ending a car. Blind-spot warning is worth its weight in gold. Lane-keep assist works well in both my cars. Rear-cross traffic alert (the Subaru will actually stop the car if it senses rear cross traffic) is wonderful in parking lots where you're trying to back out of your space but you're book-ended by large, tall trucks or SUVs.

I'm 70. I'm a much less aggressive drive than I used to be. Maybe these systems are more appealing to older drivers.

After driving my wife's Subaru with all the driver assist systems I sold my perfectly good 2008 Lexus which had no systems -- not even blind spot warning -- to get the Mazda and avail myself of the added measure of safety.

The lane departure system on our Pacifica damn near killed me last year. I was in the left lane on interstate 66 and drove through a massive lane shift in a construction area. The car “saw” the old lane markings and when I altered my course to follow the new traffic pattern it tried to kick me back into the old lane. Had I not been paying attention and had a good grip on the wheel it would have “corrected” me right into a jersey barrier at 70 miles an hour. Since then I always turn it off when I drive that car. My wife loves the adaptive cruise control but I’ve never tried it. I just don’t trust it.

My semi has all of it on it. (2021 Freightshaker), it has its advantages in that situation. The adapative cruise is the one I dislike the most, But overall they are good features for the situation I’m in. Like any driving, you need to be on your toes and pay attention. It’s a pain in the ass for local driving but shines when you are running 4 to 5 hundy miles in my situation.

I hate mine. Few weeks ago a truck lost a couple pallets of plastic bottles. Car freaked out and locked my brakes on the highway. Scared the shit out of me.

I was freaked out enough about the bottles damaging my paint, but then the car decided to brake, and I was really freaked out. Guy behind me got pissed and chucked a coke at my car.

Pulled off next exit, no damage from the coke, and only a minor paint chip from the empty bottles.

It looked like I was going to warp speed before the car took over with bottles flying all around me.

I think these driver aids just make people worse drivers as they pay less attention to driving because they're convinced the car will keep them out of trouble

I only even want one if I can disengage 100%. Anything less than 100% freedom is useless to me.

Get back to me in x-years when I can Jetsons to work while playing Video Games or whatever.

They are an assistant to the driver and not a driver replacement or a precursor to an autonomous car.

The resort seems to think the driver's responsibility should be decreased in their calls to make these systems better.

The way report reads, you'd think a lot of cars have these systems bordering on many but that's not true. Most cars - Subaru exempted - don't have this in every car and I'm wondering how mistakes those drivers make in 8 miles a driving. On balance I will take these systems and their development over not having them.

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
I only even want one if I can disengage 100%. Anything less than 100% freedom is useless to me.

Get back to me in x-years when I can Jetsons to work while playing Video Games or whatever.

I agree. Come back when it's finished.

The “Smart Cruise Control” of my 2018 Hyundai Sonata works wonderfully well. If I approach a slower car from behind, it slows me down to keep me a distance behind it. If the slower car accelerates, or moves out of my lane, my car resumes to the set speed. The “keep-back” distance is selectable. If I approach cars stopped at a traffic light it breaks, then creeps me up close to the nearest car. When the light turns green, a light touch on the accelerator resumes the Smart Cruise setting. I love this feature.

Its “Car in Blind Spot” Lane Change Warning works wonderfully well too, but I don’t depend on it – check visually.

quote:

Originally posted by italia:
I think these driver aids just make people worse drivers as they pay less attention to driving because they're convinced the car will keep them out of trouble

This follows the Law of Unintended Consequences.

Blind spot and rear backing up function alone are genius. Not a huge fan of lane assist but once again it’s an assist. The example above describes a construction zone with new markings and such. Or close enough to my description that the tribes should be paying more attention than normal. It’s not like it pulls the wheel out of your hands. You have to drive the car, these things aid you. That’s it.

My car will brake but once I get on the brake it gives me back control. It’s trying to give you the extra second that just might save your life. You were lucky only the water bottles came at you. What if the pallets came too? It might have saved your life. I won’t fault a system for not recognizing “it’s just a bunch of water bottles” that appeared in front of you at highway speeds.

Vast majority of this stuff you can turn off and keep it off. My Toyota doesn’t turn it back on every time you turn off car so if you turn off lane assist it’s off till you want it. As an aside, Toyota’s lane assist sucks. Subaru is way better so I leave mine off almost all the time. The other shit is gold though.

When I was teaching my last two kids to drive it was very reassuring to see them signal lane change and check blind spot and I could just look in their mirror to see the blind spot indicator. That is good stuff. And 5he rear warning for parking lots I can’t believe anybody would not want that. It’s completely unobtrusive until it warns you about the car you couldn’t see yet know matter how much you were craning your neck.

Drive your car. Let the stuff HELP you. Not vice versa.

I hate these features. And adds about $800 to cost of replacing a windshield, depending on make/model.

There is only one feature that is actually semi-useful - rear collision alert. But that's only active when backing up out of a parking spot. Which generally doesn't matter to me because I generally back in. But it's good for my wife.

If these are for distracted drivers (ie - lane departure), STOP enabling the behavior. These fuckheads should just pay attention while driving.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
Its “Car in Blind Spot” Lane Change Warning works wonderfully well too.

My concern about this feature is whether all manufacturers' blind spot monitors actually recognize motorcycles. If not, drivers of these cars are susceptible to just changing lanes without turning their heads to double check the blind spot, assuming all is clear. Again, these safety features can build over confidence that may lead to accidents.