Road Safety Awards
Driving for Better Business
FleetSafe
CAV Safety Hub
Search our website Monthly email newsletter Twitter
The Safe System
ETSC advocates the use of ISA
For more than ten years, the European Transport Safety Council has been advocating the benefits of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), a driver assistance system that a 2014 Norwegian study found to be the 'most effective' in saving lives. We are optimistic that 2016 could prove to be a turning point in wide adoption of the technology.
This system uses a speed sign-recognition video camera and/or GPS-linked speed limit data to advise drivers of the current speed limit; the most advanced systems can automatically limit the speed of the vehicle as needed (though the driver is still able to override the system). The first vehicles with this kind of ISA system factory fitted started appearing on the market this year – helped in part by Euro NCAP's decision to reward extra points for vehicles that include ISA.
The technology has also been boosted by the increasing use of hardware on vehicles such as GPS, front facing cameras and manual speed limiting systems which, effectively, can just be reprogrammed to add intelligent speed assistance as an option.
The importance of the adoption of the technology cannot be underestimated. ISA is expected to reduce collisions by 30% and deaths by 20%. But waiting for the technology to trickle down from premium cars to the mass market, would take years longer than a regulatory approach.
In London 47 buses covering two routes will be fitted with ISA technology as part of the second major trial of the system in the UK capital, and the move has been welcomed by pedestrian campaigners.
Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at Transport for London, said:
'Intelligent Speed Adaptation improves road safety by reducing incidences of speeding for all road users, allowing drivers to focus on looking out for potential issues on the road rather than checking their speed limit. If this trial confirms that this technology could be beneficial to the safety of London's roads, it could be introduced across our bus fleet.'
Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter
Related news, events and information
Speed limiter trial launched in London
14 June 2009 – A six-month trial of Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) technology, which aims to reduce road casualties and...
ISA essential for EU vehicle safety standards
18 February 2019 – On 21 February, the European Parliament's Internal Market (IMCO) Committee will vote on critical new EU vehicle...
Call for ISA to become standard
16 February 2016 – The European Transport Safety Council* (ETSC) has produced a new film calling for over-ridable Intelligent...
London to require ISA on all new buses from next year
6 June 2016 – Transport for London (TfL) has completed trials of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology fitted to...
MEPs back new road and vehicle safety rules
14 January 2019 – Story from the ETSC. New EU rules covering road infrastructure safety and minimum vehicle safety standards...
Helmond tests impact of Intelligent Speed Assistance
7 August 2020 – Source: The Civitas Initiative Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) is a broad term that designates various...
TfL announces new technology trials on its buses
6 September 2017 – Story from the London Road Safety Council. Transport for London (TfL) has announced that it is to trial new...
MEPs call for new car safety tech to be fitted as standard
17 October 2017 – The European Parliament's Transport Committee has called for new cars to be fitted as standard with a range of...
Speed management and the way forward
30 March 2016 – For years, speed has been recognised as one of the three main contributing factors to deaths and injuries on...
@RoadSafeGlobal on Twitter
71 Great Peter Street
SW1P 2BN