Reducing Speed Through Technology: Alleviating Driving Stress
In the realm of automotive technology, a new device is making waves: Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems. This innovative technology, which is starting to appear as an option on new vehicles and can also be purchased as an aftermarket device, aims to improve road safety by regulating a vehicle's speed.
Ian Reagan, a Senior Research Scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), has been testing an aftermarket ISA device. The device, developed by Mobileye, determines the speed limit solely by GPS connected to a speed limit map, functioning much like a reverse cruise control.
The ISA system causes the user to slow down much earlier and accelerate much later than other drivers on the expressway, potentially leading to some irritation among other motorists. However, the benefits of this technology in terms of safety are significant.
Controlling speed is crucial for safety, as higher speeds reduce the time a driver has to react and increase the distance it takes the vehicle to stop. With ISA, the risk of severe injury or fatality for pedestrians is reduced, as higher speeds greatly increase this risk.
On urban streets, particularly high-rise neighbourhoods with a 25 mph speed limit, the ISA system proved to be particularly effective. The device accurately detected the speed limits on the author's route, including on D.C.'s 14th Street Bridge and just outside the Capital Beltway.
The author, who commutes from Annapolis, Maryland, to Arlington, Virginia, and runs through Washington, D.C., found the ISA system useful in keeping them from accelerating beyond the speed limit on limited-access roads that have lower speed limits than expected due to high traffic volume.
However, the author was concerned that the ISA device might rarely activate inside the Capital Beltway due to congestion and make them feel like a rolling roadblock outside the beltway. To address this issue, the device features a temporary override button to bypass the system and speed up when inaccuracies occur.
Sturdy, one of the companies selling aftermarket ISA systems, updates their feedback maps based on user feedback. This continuous improvement ensures the device's accuracy and effectiveness over time.
While ISA systems have been around for several decades, they vary in their response. Some only provide an audible or visual warning or make the accelerator harder to press. The device tested by Ian Reagan, however, is more proactive, restricting the power output of a vehicle's engine to keep it from exceeding the speed limit.
The use of ISA can lead to a less stressful commute, as the driver is not worried about getting a ticket or fighting for position in a pointless race. The author argues that ISA should be required in all new vehicles to help reduce a speeding epidemic that kills thousands of Americans every year.
As of July 1, new vehicles sold in Europe are required to have ISA that at least provides a warning. The author believes this is a step in the right direction and hopes to see similar regulations implemented in the U.S.
In conclusion, the ISA technology presents a promising solution for safer commutes. While it may cause some initial adjustments for drivers, the potential benefits in terms of road safety and reduced stress make it a worthwhile consideration for both vehicle manufacturers and consumers.
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