AAA study finds active driver assistance tech struggles in real-world testing

Active driving assistance systems like lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control are meant to make driving safer and better. AAA automotive researchers, however, recently found that over the course of 4,000 miles of real-world driving, vehicles with these systems had some kind of issue every 8 miles on average. The systems performed better overall in closed-course testing, but most struggled to avoid hitting a simulated disabled vehicle. 

We look at what active driving assistance tech is, what AAA's study found, and what it means for drivers and car manufacturers. 

What is active driving assistance?

Active driving assistance (ADA), also classified as Level 2 automation by the SAE International, combines functionalities such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance. These systems are meant to help with maintaining lane position, speed, and following distance. Though they can autonomously control steering and braking in some situations, Level 2 cars aren't considered automated vehicles because they assist the driver rather than replacing them.

Active driving assistance is part of a larger category called advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that also includes things like blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warnings, which help the driver without taking active control of the vehicle.

The most common issue researchers found was that lane keeping systems had trouble keeping vehicles in their lane, sometimes coming too close to other vehicles or guardrails. These systems currently rely on cameras to "see" lane markings, and just like people, they struggle when those markings are worn out or there's glare from the sun. 

Another problem was that systems would often hand control back to the driver with little warning—a dangerous scenario if the driver has stopped paying attention to what's happening on the road. 

What does AAA recommend for drivers & manufacturers?

For drivers

While adaptive cruise control systems appear to work well, lane keeping assistance struggles. Our advice is to look for a vehicle with adaptive cruise control but wait a few years until the technology improves before purchasing a vehicle with active driving assistance.

Most importantly, drivers must clearly understand how these systems work before integrating them into their driving. AAA recommends requesting a demonstration from the dealership as well as thoroughly reading the vehicle owner’s manual and other information provided online by the automaker.

For manufacturers

AAA believes manufacturers should do more simulations, closed-course testing and actual on-road evaluations prior to releasing to the mass market. These systems need to perform more consistently in order to improve the driver experience and overall reliability and safety.