Driver Assist System Implemented on Buses in Florida Leads to Reduced Conflicts with Improved Safety Impacts.
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Summary Information
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have the potential to decrease crash risks or conflicts associated with public transit operations, which could lead to a safer, more efficient, and economical service. This study evaluated the safety benefits of a vision-based ADAS, procured and installed on ten Regional Transit System (RTS) buses in Gainesville, Florida, in January 2019. The system included camera sensors, two exterior sensor housings, two interior windshield-mounted vision sensors, and three driver alert displays that communicate with the driver by visual and audible alerts. A before-and-after analysis was conducted over a period of one year of operation focusing on the pedestrian detection (PD), pedestrian collision warning (PCW), urban forward collision warning (UFCW), forward collision warning (FCW), headway warning (HWW), and aggressive braking (AggBrk) alerts. In addition, 18 transit operators were interviewed through a focus group study to obtain feedback. Lastly, the study developed a benefit-cost analysis tool using crash history along with surrogate safety assessment parameters to predict the rate of return of ADAS investment.
Installation costs for each ADAS system included a one-time cost of $8,900 and an additional yearly cost of $240.
University of Florida (UF) Testbed Initiative – Alternative Transportation Safety Systems
Vision-based ADAS for bus (each): $8,900