New AAA research finds active driving assistance still requires driver’s full attention

New research from AAA Automotive Engineers suggests that active driving assistance (ADA) systems, also known as traffic jam assistance, aren’t replacements for drivers paying attention behind the wheel in heavy traffic.

The study compared hands-on and hands-off ADA performance in five passenger vehicles with low-speed-capable ADA systems — the 2024 Ford F-150 Platinum SuperCrew 4WD (hands-off), 2024 Honda Accord LX Sedan (hands-on), 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ Luxury (hands-off), 2024 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus (hands-on), and 2024 Volkswagen Atlas SE AWD w/ Technology Package (hands-on).

Notable events occurred every 9 minutes and 3.2 miles, on average, with the most common events being cut-ins and poor lane centering.

A “notable” event is defined in the study as any situation in which the ADA system failed to handle the driving conditions adequately, as determined by the researcher driving the vehicle. Cut-ins, defined as instances when a vehicle enters the lane directly in front of the test vehicle, required a researcher to intervene 90% of the time.

Before the testing, the vehicles were taken to dealerships for tire and brake system inspections, four-wheel alignments, calibrations, and software updates to the latest versions. AAA clarified that ADA refers to the specific type of ADAS tested in the study, which can automatically steer, accelerate, and brake in certain conditions.

AAA states that, as driving assistance technology continues to evolve, the types of driving situations for which they are designed are expanding.

“Traffic jam situations are one area where more systems have added capability in recent years,” the study states. “The systems evaluated in this study are capable of automatically controlling acceleration, braking (to a complete stop), and steering under driver supervision in low-speed, high-traffic scenarios.”

“The operational domain and specific function of these systems vary among different vehicle manufacturers. Some systems are intended only for lower-speed driving, while others operate continuously from a full stop to highway speeds. Some systems are hands-on, while others are hands-off. Some systems are intended to operate on any road as long as specific conditions are met, while others are designed to only operate on designated highways.”

According to the findings, drivers of hands-on systems had to intervene due to driving events three times more frequently than those of hands-off systems. While remaining hands-free most of the time, drivers who used hands-off systems were asked to re-engage by placing their hands back on the wheel once every 5.5 miles, or every 15.3 minutes, requiring continuous driver engagement.

“What we’ve found is that drivers really need to stay alert and cut down on distractions, especially when things get busy on the road,” said Greg Brannon, AAA director of automotive engineering research, in a press release on the findings.

To improve road safety, AAA researchers recommend drivers remain in complete control of their vehicles at all times, regardless of the ADA system they’re using, and to always be prepared to intervene by braking or steering.

They also recommend maintaining awareness, staying engaged, and eliminating distractions, including smartphones.

Drivers should also:

• • Learn when, where, and how to use ADA systems by reading the vehicle owner’s manual;
  • Select the proper following distance for the driving situation to allow for more time to react and intervene when needed; and
  • Prioritize safety when developing and using ADA technology.

“AAA aims to collaborate with industry leaders to enhance testing and expand consumer education about autonomous systems as they become more widely used,” AAA said in the release. “AAA encourages automakers to focus on enhancing ADA performance, particularly focusing on improving cut-in response and lane-centering behavior, and improving the visibility of alerts related to the deactivation of ADAS features to ensure drivers are aware when features are active or inactive.”

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Featured photo provided by AAA