Influencing the uptake of in-vehicle safety technologies and quantifying impacts

Descriptions

This project aims to address these challenges:

Aim (1) Quantify the performance of vehicle safety technologies "in the field" (i.e. as close as possible to actual, not ideal or "perfect use") and forecast KPI1 trends under different scenarios for input to (1) an updated RTZH model and (2) a future Safety Outcome Model to inform more accurate target setting.

Aim (2) Deliver practical evidence-based recommendations for interventions that National Highways can use to influence uptake of in-vehicle technologies that will make the biggest difference to KSI outcomes on the SRN;

These aims will be achieved via the delivery of two work packages (not including the inception/mobilisation phase which is also outlined in the description of service)

- Work Package 1 - Trends in technology uptake and safety outcomes
- Work Package 2 - User segmentation, influences and policy levers.

The Road to Zero Harm project and Safety Outcome Model projects identified gaps in our understanding of the trends in uptake and impacts of in-vehicle safety technologies. The RTZH model relies on several assumptions about usage and effectiveness of in-vehicle safety technologies. Our confidence in the validity of these assumptions is low because:

- Recent press coverage indicates usage may be overestimated due to issues affecting user acceptance (e.g. people turning off lane keep assist because they perceive it as annoying and potentially dangerous - https://www.brake.org.uk/get-involved/take-action/mybrake/knowledge-centre/reports/vehicle-safety-systems-and-the-future-of-driving).

- The effectiveness estimates were also based on effects estimated for whole of England (not just SRN) as part of the work to develop the GSR legislation for Europe (which is now quite old and doesn't allow for differentiating effects by road features, traffic mix and speeds).

- Lack of trend data on the uptake and usage of these technologies also prevented us including in-vehicle safety technology in the Safety Outcome model.