Crash detection accuracy is through the roof
Independent crash-detection accuracy test puts RAC above 90%
RAC Telematics looks set to take the vehicle tracking technology into a new era as independent tests prove its crash detection accuracy is far above current industry averages.
TRL, the UK’s transport research laboratory which provides impartial world-class research, testing and certification for all aspects of transport, confirmed the crash detection accuracy of RAC Telematics in a series of controlled tests.
The results show a 92% accuracy in detecting crash and non-crash events in more than 60 tests – significantly higher than the industry average of less than 70% for on-road systems.
The results mean that RAC Telematics is not only able to detect and confirm when a collision has taken place, but at slow speeds can also distinguish between a collision with another vehicle and whether a driver has hit a kerb or a speed bump – unlike most standard telematics systems.
This new industry-leading capability in crash detection will benefit multiple market sectors as collisions at less than 10mph result in more than double the number of disputed accident claims than at higher speeds.
RAC Telematics MD Nick Walker said: “The results from TRL provide unrivalled independent verification of the crash detection accuracy of the RAC Telematics system, which is hugely beneficial to our customers looking for a product they can trust to report events with the highest accuracy.”
Tests on the system were carried out by TRL at the end of 2014, and accuracy levels were achieved following more than 60 controlled tests including collisions and other kinds of impact such as hitting a kerb.
Iwan Parry, Programme Development Director at TRL said: “This test programme was developed specifically to evaluate the robustness of the RAC Telematics solution in the detection of collision and non-collision events.
“The test programme provided a thorough assessment of the technology, testing system response to both travel over severe road features (potholes, speed humps, etc.) and vehicle impacts over a range of speeds, impact orientations and vehicle types.”
All 1,500 RAC patrol vehicles are fitted out with telematics units where there has not only been a significant cost saving in terms of fuel, but has also provided a basis for driver style and safety improvement – or on-the-job driver training.
