Front crash prevention systems, namely forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB), monitor the road environment ahead using radar and/or video camera sensors. FCW systems typically sound an audible alert if a front collision is likely, allowing the driver to begin an avoidance maneuver. AEB systems, which generally include FCW functionality, apply the vehicle’s foundation brakes to prevent or mitigate a forward impact if the driver does not intervene.

Some FCW systems have the advantage of being able to be retrofitted to existing trucks, so benefits can be realized sooner and with less investment. AEB systems are more common in the passenger vehicle fleet. Although no federal mandate exists for AEB, 20 automakers representing 99 percent of the United States automobile market have agreed to make AEB standard on virtually all new passenger vehicles by September 1, 2022.

While FCW and AEB systems have been shown to reduce front-to-rear crash rates for passenger vehicles, less is known about their effectiveness in large trucks. Therefore, this study sought to better understand their effectiveness as countermeasures for crashes with large trucks.