IIHS Raises the Bar: Pedestrian Detection Systems in 2019 SUVs

Introduction

Each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) sets increasingly stringent standards for vehicle safety, pushing automakers to innovate and enhance their safety features. In 2019, the IIHS shifted its focus from protecting occupants inside vehicles to safeguarding pedestrians outside. This marked a significant step forward in automotive safety, with pedestrian detection systems becoming a critical factor in vehicle evaluations.

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The Growing Need for Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrian fatalities have surged by 45% since 2009, according to federal accident data. This alarming trend prompted the IIHS to develop a new rating system for pedestrian detection systems. These systems, often integrated with automatic emergency braking (AEB), are designed to detect pedestrians and cyclists, reducing the likelihood of collisions.

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David Aylor, IIHS Manager of Active Safety Testing, emphasized the importance of these systems: We want to encourage manufacturers to include pedestrian detection capabilities as they equip more of their vehicles with automatic emergency braking systems.

How IIHS Tests Pedestrian Detection Systems

The IIHS evaluates pedestrian detection systems using three distinct test scenarios:

• Scenario 1: An adult pedestrian crosses the road in the path of an oncoming vehicle.
• Scenario 2: A child runs into the street from between parked cars.
• Scenario 3: An adult walks parallel to the vehicle at the edge of the lane, facing away from traffic.

These tests are conducted at two speeds (12 mph and 25 mph) to assess the system's effectiveness in real-world conditions.

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Top-Performing 2019 SUVs

In its inaugural tests for model-year 2018 and 2019 vehicles, the IIHS awarded nine out of eleven small SUVs an advanced or superior rating for pedestrian crash prevention. The standout models include:

• Superior Rating: 2018-19 Honda CR-V, 2019 Subaru Forester, 2019 Toyota RAV4, and 2019 Volvo XC40.
• Advanced Rating: 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, 2018-19 Hyundai Kona, 2019 Kia Sportage, 2018-19 Mazda CX-5, and 2019 Nissan Rogue.

However, not all vehicles performed well. The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander received a basic rating, while the 2018-19 BMW X1 failed to earn any rating.

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Key Findings from the Tests

The Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 were the only SUVs to avoid hitting dummies in the first two scenarios. The Volvo XC40 also performed well, avoiding the adult dummy in both speed tests and the child dummy in the 12-mph test. Meanwhile, the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester were the only models to issue warnings before automatically braking in the third scenario.

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On the other hand, the Mitsubishi Outlander and BMW X1 showed significant room for improvement. The Outlander reduced its speed by 19 mph in the 25-mph parallel adult test but only by 11 mph in the 12-mph perpendicular child test. The X1's system barely functioned, failing to brake in the 37-mph parallel adult test and showing minimal speed reductions in other scenarios.

Impact on Top Safety Pick Awards

Starting in the 2020 model year, pedestrian detection system ratings will influence the IIHS's Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick Plus awards. To qualify for these accolades, vehicles must meet stringent criteria, including:

• Good or acceptable scores in headlight evaluations and passenger-side small overlap front crash tests.
• Advanced or superior grades for automatic braking systems.
• Good scores in all other crashworthiness tests.
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Russ Rader, IIHS Senior Vice President of Communications, highlighted the importance of these standards: We want to arm consumers with information about these systems so they can make smart choices when shopping for a new vehicle.

The Future of Pedestrian Detection Systems

Approximately two-thirds of 2019 model-year vehicles equipped with front crash prevention systems include pedestrian detection capabilities. While some automakers, like Subaru and Toyota, have made these systems standard, the IIHS aims to see broader adoption across the industry.

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As technology advances, pedestrian detection systems are expected to become more sophisticated, further reducing accidents and saving lives. Consumers are encouraged to prioritize these features when purchasing new vehicles, as they play a crucial role in enhancing road safety.

Conclusion

The IIHS's focus on pedestrian detection systems marks a pivotal shift in automotive safety. By raising the bar for vehicle evaluations, the agency is driving automakers to innovate and prioritize the safety of all road users. As pedestrian fatalities continue to rise, these advancements offer hope for a safer future on the roads.

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