Australian insurance company IAG has launched a field study to find why advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are falling short of their promise to reduce road accidents.

IAG has partnered with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the iMove Co‑operative Research Centre on the project, which comes as forecasts indicate 40 per cent of vehicles on Australian roads will be ADAS‑enabled by 2031.

From the RACQ Mobility Centre in Brisbane, 60 drivers will be assessed in real-time test track conditions while using ADAS technology, such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane keeping assist.

Head of the IAG Research Centre Shawn Ticehurst said this first-of-its-kind study would gather insights through observing Australian drivers while they were operating ADAS safety features, and identify behavioural barriers or knowledge gaps that could be addressed through greater driver education.

“The safety benefits of ADAS are well established globally, and the Australian government has begun mandating these systems in all new vehicles sold in Australia,” said Ticehurst. “However, 60% of Australian drivers tell us they are actively turning off driver-assist safety features in their cars, meaning those people are missing out on realising the safety benefits, and that’s a major concern. IAG’s research seeks to understand what’s preventing Australian drivers from embracing ADAS safety features, what might encourage a behaviour shift, and guide practical solutions to make our roads safer.”

Professor in intelligent transportation system at QUT Sebastien Glaser said it was important for drivers’ knowledge to keep pace with the rapid evolution and penetration of vehicle safety technology globally.

“We know that 40% of vehicles on Australian roads are set to be ADAS-enabled within the next five years, and it’s increasingly important to explore the effectiveness of these systems, which starts with driver engagement,” said Glaser. “By investigating the potential impacts of specialised ADAS education on driver behaviour, this research aims to establish an actionable road map towards accident reduction in Australia.”

The research project aligns with the Australian government’s National Road Safety Strategy commitment to deliver significant reductions in fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.

IAG will publish its ADAS research findings later this year. Sixty drivers from a broad cross-section of driving backgrounds and levels of ADAS familiarity will participate in the field study at the RACQ Mobility Centre (www.racq.com.au) over several days. Participants will be observed and analysed in controlled test track conditions across three vehicles enabled with different ADAS safety features

ADAS performance can vary across segments due to differences in vehicle purpose, design priorities and technology investment. The vehicles selected for this field study have been chosen to provide a representative cross-section of the Australian market and will examine ADAS performance across distinct vehicle segments.

QUT (www.qut.edu.au) researchers will explain each ADAS safety feature and set participants a practical driving challenge to activate the ADAS safety feature warning systems. Drivers’ immediate responses while trialling each system will be recorded, as will any changes in perception of the safety technology following driver interaction.

ADAS features to be studied are AEB front and rear, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, lane change assist, blind spot warning, and rear-cross traffic alert.

IMove Co-operative Research Centre (imoveaustralia.com) is Australia’s national centre for transport and mobility research and development. A not-for-profit organisation funded by the federal government, iMove focuses on delivering high-impact projects that help develop transport systems benefiting communities, industries and the nation.

IAG (www.iag.com.au) is the parent company of a general insurance group with operations in Australia and New Zealand. Its main businesses underwrite over $17bn of insurance premium per annum.