The impact of airbags, electronic stability control and autonomous emergency braking on Australian light vehicle fatalities: methodology and findings

This paper presents estimates of the current and potential impact of airbags, electronic stability control, and autonomous emergency braking on fatalities in light vehicle crashes. This analysis draws on a number of sources to provide estimates and projections of the proportion of the light vehicle fleet equipped with these technologies. It combines these with estimates of the impact of each technology to provide estimates and projections of the impact on fatalities. It is estimated that frontal airbags have reduced light vehicle fatalities by 13%, side airbags by 4%, and electronic stability control by 6% to 2014. It is also predicted that the impacts of side airbags and electronic stability control will increase significantly as newer vehicles filter through the fleet, and that autonomous emergency braking will begin to lead to significant fatality reductions. Combined, these technologies are predicted to reduce fatalities a further 30% by 2033. This paper draws on the underlying research in BITRE Information Sheet 68 and Report 140 and provides a more in-depth description of the data and research methodology. The paper will be of relevance to those engaged with road safety policy, and to other researchers.

• Record URL:
  http://acrs.org.au/publications/acrs-conference-papers/acrs-database/
• Authors:
  • McAuley, J
  • Cregan, M
  • Risbey, T
• Conference:
  • Australasian Road Safety Conference, 1st, 2015, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
• Publication Date: 2015-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 7p
• Monograph Title: Taking action together: 1st Australasian Road Safety Conference (ARSC2015), 14-16 October, Gold Coast, Queensland

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking; Fatalities; Fleet management; Motor vehicle industry; Technology; Vehicle design; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safe systems (vehicles)
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ATRI Terms: Fatality rate; Fleet management; Technology; Vehicle design; Vehicle make
• ITRD Terms: 1465: Air bag (restraint system); 1453: Electronic stability program; 1602: Fatality
• Subject Areas: Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01591488
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 26 2016 9:29AM