Benchmarking advanced emergency brake systems

20 juillet 2016

555_170_ADACtest

Rear-end collisions are the most common types of accidents. The causes range from inattentiveness when the car in front slows or stops; distractions such as mobile phones, eating or adjusting the radio; poor visibility; inadequate distance etc. While most rear-end collisions in city traffic mostly result in minor vehicle damage, collisions on the motorway often result in serious or fatal injuries.
ADAC, Europe’s largest motoring organisation, has conducted extensive research into advanced emergency brake systems. These auto brake features are already built into many new vehicles in order to prevent or mitigate the consequences of collisions. The new vehicles include radar sensors, camera or lasers which are able to recognise objects in front and alert the driver if a collision is imminent. Advanced emergency brake systems can brake the car automatically in order to reduce the impact speed or prevent the crash altogether.

10 car models each undergo a series of tough tests

ADAC has tested 10 different vehicles in order to assess their capability to initiate braking where a collision is imminent as well as when and how effectively the driver is alerted to a collision. The vehicles tested included a BMW 750i, Mercedes C-Class, Volvo V40, VW Touareg, Audi A6, Lexus GS, Opel Insignia, Honda Civic, Mercedes B-Class and a Ford Focus.

All ten cars tested by ADAC were put through five tests:

Approaching a stationary vehicle over a range of speeds ( 70, 50, 40, 30 and 20km/h)
Approaching a slower vehicle (Hunter 50km/h and Target 20km/h; Hunter 100km/h and Target 60km/h)
Approaching a target vehicle travelling at 50km/h which suddenly brakes
Approaching a target vehicle which is travelling at the same speed (60km/h) and then slowing down
Adaptive brake assist – driver brakes insufficient (Hunter 50km/h, Target 0km/h; Hunter 80km/h, Target 20km/h)