Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, is a term for a wide variety of in-vehicle technologies that can make driving safer by detecting hazards and then alerting the driver or taking automatic actions. They can use radar, LiDAR, camera and thermal sensors to send information about roadway conditions and other vehicles to a computer that analyzes all this data and interprets whether to act.
Broadly speaking, there are two categories: Technologies that augment driver abilities (it’s you, but better), and those that automate driving tasks (taking away the human factor).
ADAS That Augments
Your vehicle is telling you something, and you, the driver, need to react to it and take action to avoid a crash.
● Blind spot warnings
● Lane departure warnings
● Pedestrian detection
ADAS That Automates
Your vehicle is performing tasks for you, and in some cases, it can help you avoid a collision if you fail to act in time.
● Automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB
● Lane keeping assistance
● Adaptive lighting
● Adaptive cruise control
Some newer ADAS technologies can even perform both functions if necessary. For example, systems to monitor driver drowsiness or inattention detect eye and head movements, and if they sense patterns that indicate the driver is not paying attention to the road, the system can first send an alert, such as a beep or a steering wheel vibration. If the driver does not respond, then some systems can automatically slow and stop the vehicle. While this technology is not yet widely deployed, it shows how sensors and algorithms have become so advanced that they can address many different common causes of serious crashes.
A big part of making sure these technologies work is ensuring the systems on vehicles can electronically communicate both with other vehicles and with surrounding infrastructure. The latter is called vehicle-to-everything, or V2X. In August 2024, USDOT released a strategy for V2X deployment in order to help state and local transportation agencies safely and effectively integrate emerging technologies into operational aspects of their roadway systems.
So yes, ADAS offers an element of automation, but it’s important to remember what it can’t do: These systems do not make a self-driving car. Safety technologies work best when their creators and users recognize why they’re there: Humans make mistakes. Even the best driver will make an error sometimes. Technology that corrects for human error provides a crucial layer of redundancy – one of the guiding principles behind the Safe System Approach.
Learn More About ADAS from These Trusted Sources
● Consumer Reports: Clearing the Confusion
● American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)
● Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
● Partners for Autonomous Vehicle Education (PAVE)