Innovative Technologies Shaping the Future of Road Safety in India

India's alarming road safety record demands immediate action, as recent reports reveal devastating statistics: an 11.9% spike in accidents, a 9.4% increase in fatalities, and a 15.3% surge in injuries. While strict laws and effective enforcement are crucial, key stakeholders are stepping up with solutions that can help effectively tackle this issue.

Automobile manufacturers are leveraging technology to transform road safety through innovative interventions. By developing vehicles with advanced safety features, they aim to improve driver behaviour, create a safer driving environment, and encourage responsible driving practices. This approach is inherently more seamless to adopt with a gadget on wheels, like an electric vehicle, where implementation of innovative technologies like ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems) play a significant role in enhancing overall road safety.

ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System)

Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is a technology aimed at mitigating human errors while driving with the help of a combination of sensors, cameras, and algorithms. These systems continuously monitor the vehicle's surroundings, providing drivers with real-time data to improve their situational awareness. For example: ADAS can detect obstacles or vehicles in blind spots and alert the driver through features like Blind Spot Monitoring or Rear Backup Warnings.

This technology enhances safety by guiding drivers to make informed decisions, particularly in situations where their visibility or awareness may be compromised, helping to avoid collisions.

Other features include Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane-Keeping Assist, which analyses traffic and congestion situations on the roads. These systems identify efficient driving patterns and advise drivers to maintain the appropriate speed and distance from other vehicles, ultimately reducing stop-and-go driving behaviour. This ensures a smoother, more responsible driving experience while also saving time.

ADAS achieves this objective through an array of advanced safety and convenience features such as Anti-lock Brakes, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Signal Recognition, Traction Control, Pedestrian Detection, Blind-spot Detection, Speed Alerts, Surround-view Cameras, and Tire Pressure Monitors. 

Studies conducted in the USA have demonstrated the efficacy of ADAS technology, showing a 50% reduction in crashes and a 41% reduction in injuries. Similarly, findings in Europe indicate a significant decline in accident rates. Given India’s high fatality rates on the roads, the future of road safety appears promising with the adoption of ADAS. This technology has the potential to play a crucial role in significantly reducing accidents, making it an essential solution for enhancing safety in the country.

The future of ADAS

The propulsion of electric vehicles (EVs) is via electric motors which are controlled by sophisticated electronics. Because EVs are predominately driven by electronics and electricals, it is easier to incorporate ADAS systems in these vehicles. This facet alone will be instrumental in furthering ADAS adoption in EVs at a faster pace than their Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) powered peers.  

AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System)

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) is a technology designed to emit artificial sounds from a device in the vehicle, making it audible to pedestrians and motorcyclists. This technology is crucial for EVs, which are much quieter than conventional fuel powered vehicles and are at times imperceptible to pedestrians and animals on the road – surprising them at times as the vehicle would pull up beside them or even behind them with no indication. The sounds produced by the system mimic that of a conventional vehicle using real time data based on the EV’s speed, direction, and distance.

AVAS significantly reduces the risk of accidents at crosswalks and other roadways by emitting an audible sound. Interestingly, EV manufacturers are now leveraging AVAS to create distinctive sounds for their EVs as an extension of their brand identity, allowing people to recognise the vehicle and its manufacturer, and add an element of excitement in what is a very silent drive. Even road safety regulators across countries have incorporated AVAS into their road safety laws, prompting manufacturers to invest in research and development.

The future of AVAS

As EVs continue to evolve and manufacturers strive to differentiate their brands, future upgrades will feature more creative audio designs, ranging from the buzz of spaceships to power lines and innovative soundscapes. These advancements will redefine how people experience sound and transform their driving experience.

Government’s vision to reduce accidents

The Government of India aims to reduce road accidents by 50% by 2030, with a long-term vision of achieving 'zero road accidents’.  The plan focuses on strengthening the four pillars of road safety: Engineering (road and vehicle design), Economy, Enforcement, and Education. In 2022, road accidents increased by 12%, and fatalities rose by 10%, resulting in a 3.14% loss to GDP. The multi-pronged strategy relies on technology, alongside mandatory measures such as seat belts, airbags, speed warning systems, ABS, and improved collision protection.

As EVs continue to evolve, the interplay between technology and safety becomes more critical than ever. By integrating advanced features into EVs and other vehicles, manufacturers have an ideal opportunity to further elevate road safety and make a significant impact on reducing accidents and saving lives.  

By Anand Kulkarni, Chief Products Officer, Head of HV Programs and Customer Service, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd.