Reverse automatic emergency braking isn’t foolproof, according to the AAA after it simulated collisions across four popular 2023 model-year vehicles.
AAA Engineers wanted to know how reverse AEB systems with rear cross traffic mitigation systems perform when backing out of a parking space into the path of an oncoming vehicle with an adjacent parked vehicle blocking the view and while a stationary child pedestrian behind the vehicle.
It found the systems automatically applied brakes in 65 percent of test runs and prevented a collision in 2.5 percent of test runs in the context of the backing-up scenarios involving a subject vehicle crossing behind the test vehicle.
With the stationary child target behind the test vehicle, reverse (AEB) automatically applied brakes in 75 percent of test runs and prevented a collision in 50 percent of test runs.
“Drivers should not solely rely on these advanced driving systems to prevent collisions, but instead use them to enhance their awareness of their surroundings and support safe driving,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engineering. “Above all, vehicle testing requirements for these systems should be updated to be consistent, taking into consideration unusual objects and more realistic scenarios with the goal of achieving the greatest safety benefit to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.”
