Safety and eSafety
New intelligent technologies are rapidly being deployed into the transport system with the intention of reducing casualties and improving transport efficiency. Examples include driver information and hazard alert systems as well as autonomous systems that modify vehicle dynamics. The pace of development means that it is difficult to measure casualty reduction or to identify any confounding factors that may reduce system effectiveness. Particular areas concern the introduction of driver distractions, inappropriate system functionality and driver awareness of the limitations of the new systems. The DaCoTA project will establish a consistent approach to the evaluation of such systems once they have been introduced to the market by specifying analytic approaches and new data needs.
DaCoTA aims to address the specific data and analysis needs when evaluating the contribution to safety of new technologies, whether vehicle or road based. The project will develop procedures to identify and update the system functionality in terms of accident risk prevention and injury risk prevention and to identify and update how current technology can address these needs. It will identify gaps in essential data needed to evaluate the safety effectiveness of new technologies and produce guidance on ways such information could be brought together. Finally it will build on previous work to assemble analytic methods specifically designed for technology assessment.