Skip to main content

New film highlights life-saving potential of ISA technology for new cars

A new film from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) makes the case for making intelligent speed assistance (ISA) which can be overridden a standard feature on all new vehicles in Europe. The five-minute video has been launched as the European Commission continues work on the development of the next generation of vehicle safety standards, expected to be launched later this year. A major study for the Commission published last year by consultants TRL found that ISA is one of several new vehicl
February 1, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
A new film from the 3535 European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) makes the case for making intelligent speed assistance (ISA) which can be overridden a standard feature on all new vehicles in Europe.
 
The five-minute video has been launched as the European Commission continues work on the development of the next generation of vehicle safety standards, expected to be launched later this year.

A major study for the Commission published last year by consultants TRL found that ISA is one of several new vehicle technologies that are now suitable for mandatory fitting on new cars as they are ‘feasible in terms of the technology required’, already available on the market and offer a positive benefit-cost ratio.

Several vehicles currently in showrooms already feature the technology including the Ford S-Max/Galaxy and Volvo XC90. The European consumer safety rating organisation 6437 Euro NCAP awards additional points to cars fitted with ISA.

Ellen Townsend, policy director of ETSC said: "Getting Intelligent Speed Assistance technology in all new cars will help Europe maintain at the cutting edge as the industry moves increasingly towards automated driving. This is an automated feature that is proven, effective and available now.

"Speed is one of the biggest killers on our roads. With the potential to cut deaths by 20%, ISA really is a no-brainer."

The film includes a demonstration of the system by Oliver Carsten of the University of Leeds in a production Ford Galaxy factory-fitted with ISA. It also features expert contributions from Aled Williams of Euro NCAP, Dr Áine Carroll, a leading expert in post-crash rehabilitation, Koen Ricour of the European Traffic Police Network TISPOL and Ms Townsend of ETSC.

Related Content

  • May 18, 2018
    Parliamentary council urges UK gov to support EC safety proposals
    A key UK safety body is calling for legislative action on European Commission vehicle safety proposals. The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) wants the EC’s third mobility package to be adopted by the UK government. These measures are part of the Juncker Commission’s initiative to implement less polluting vehicles in Europe and provide more advanced technological solutions. This package outlines a new road safety policy framework for 2020-2030 and is accompanied by two legislativ
  • January 26, 2012
    New technology revolution in urban traffic control?
    Urban traffic control is a well-defined and practised art. Nevertheless, there are technologies here and on the horizon with the potential to revolutionise how we do things. By Gavin Jackman and Andrew Kirkham, TRL, and Jason Barnes. Distributed monitoring and control of urban traffic networks and flows is nothing new. PC-based Urban Traffic Control (UTC) is now well established and operating in many locations around the world. However, it is worth considering the effects of the huge growth in the use of sm
  • February 21, 2017
    Ford developing pothole warning system
    Automaker Ford has said it is developing technology which detects the presence of potholes and alerts drivers to their location. Engineers at the Ford Research and Innovation Centre in Aachen, Germany, are experimenting with a crowd-sourced virtual pothole map, with testing due to start later this year. The map would show drivers, in real-time, on in-car displays, where potholes are, how bad they are and suggest alternative routes. “A virtual pothole map could highlight a new pothole the minute it ap
  • March 18, 2020
    VRU safety report urges enforcement
    Enforcement must be at the heart of a drive to reduce vulnerable road user deaths and injuries, says the latest report from the European Transport Safety Council. Its facts and figures give authorities the justification to invest more in camera technology and other ITS solutions