What is Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)?

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) improve fleet safety and compliance, but what is ADAS and why should fleet managers implement it in their fleet management strategies?

 

ADAS can help your drivers battle the mental and physical fatigue that comes with long hours on the road to help prevent on-road accidents that may harm your pockets and put your vehicles and staff out of action. These systems help your drivers maintain proper control of vehicles by sending alerts to potential hazards in good time and, on occasion, autonomously controlling the vehicles.

 

 

How does ADAS work today?

 

It was only in 2014 that Volvo became the first manufacturer to make autonomous emergency braking systems a standard feature in their cars. Since then, in-vehicle driver assistance has improved tenfold as the motoring industry continues to innovate new technology and push the boundaries of AI capabilities.

 

ADAS today relies on these technological breakthroughs for various safety features that make drivers more efficient and provides data for fleet managers to analyse such as radar and temperature sensors, GPS, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and more.

 

 

The benefits of ADAS in fleet management

 

Fleet managers who use ADAS have found financial benefits. Less accidents for your vehicles mean less of your budget is allocated for repairs, and, crucially, less time your vehicles are spent off the road. In line with this, insurance companies are known to lower insurance premiums for vehicles with ADAS as they are less likely to encounter on-road collisions.

 

Recent developments have seen adaptive cruise control and eco-driving support become commonplace in vehicles, helping to improve fleet fuel efficiency. Not only does this reduce your fuel cost allocations budget (meaning you can put more money elsewhere in the business), but this also aids your business’s sustainability efforts by reducing your carbon emissions which further improves your brand reputation as environmentally responsible and modern.

 

 

What are the ADAS levels?

 

There are six levels of ADAS, universally agreed on by manufacturers and regulatory bodies. Each level has different specifications and relates to amount of autonomy in the vehicle.

• Level 0 - No Automation:  Advanced Driver Assistance Systems have no control and only exist to provide information for the driver to interpret.
• Level 1 - Driver Assistance: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems can assume control of a single function within the vehicle such as emergency brake assist. 
• Level 2 – Partial Driving Automation: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems can assume control of more than one function however human monitoring is always required.
• Level 3 – Conditional Driving Automation: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems assume control of most vehicle functions, such as environmental detection, with human intervention still necessary.
• Level 4 - High Driving Automation: Advanced Driving Automation Systems assumes full control of the vehicle and is advanced enough that human intervention is commonly unnecessary. 
• Level 5 – Full Driving Automation: Vehicle is now regarded as fully autonomous with human intervention completely optional. At this level, vehicles may not require a steering wheel or pedals.

                                                  

 

The future of ADAS

 

With road safety a point of focus in the UK and several organisations setting a target of zero harm by 2040, the future of ADAS aims to see technological enhancements guarantee safety for drivers and pedestrians.

 

The rise of electric vehicles has helped introduce new capabilities for ADAS with the development of software algorithms that interpret the data collected by the sensors and cameras and make decisions based on their analysis. There’s feeling within the industry that at some point we are likely to reach a time when autonomous vehicles are safer on the roads than human operated vehicles.

 

 

Electrification the Northgate way

 

Our EVs (available on a range of flexible hire options available to suit your business needs) are equipped with the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems including features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Additionally, we assign you an electric vehicle consultant to assist with fleet requirements and charging infrastructure, ensuring you get the right solution for your business.

 

 

Delivering fleet efficiency with data analysis

 

Our telematics solutions use data to report on driver behaviour (and more) for a reliable, safe, and efficient fleet, reporting on driver tendencies such as harsh breaking, speeding, and near collisions with dash camera installations that record footage in real-time.

 

Leverage your telematics with Northgate Safe Driver to educate and train your drivers on best practices to reduce driving risks, protect your business, and ensure fleet compliance.