The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced on Mar. 10 a new study, prepared by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center, that outlines best practices for fleet operators seeking to implement active intelligent speed assistance (ISA) in commercial vehicles.
The report is significant as it provides guidance to help reduce speeding among commercial drivers, which can lead to fewer collisions and improved safety outcomes. Speeding was a factor in nearly 12,000 deaths in 2023, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue within the transportation industry.
Active ISA differs from traditional speed governors by using road signs, GPS maps, or both to determine local speed limits and prevent drivers from exceeding them. The system can be configured to allow some flexibility above posted limits. According to discussions with eight organizations that have deployed GPS-based ISA systems across their fleets or in pilot programs, benefits included reduced aggressive driving and a 30% decrease in preventable collisions for one carrier. Fleet managers also reported lower maintenance costs due to less wear and tear, improved fuel economy, and better Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores. One company saw its CSA score drop from about 65 to 20 after implementation.
“Speeding by commercial drivers is especially dangerous because they drive large, heavy vehicles,” said David Harkey, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Active ISA addresses that danger and saves fleet operators money at the same time.” Harkey also said: “Addressing this risky behavior is critical if we want to realize our 30×30 vision of reducing fatalities 30 percent by 2030. Fleets can lead the way.”
The study identified several strategies for successful deployment: helping leadership understand potential benefits; documenting baseline metrics such as CSA scores and collision rates; providing opportunities for management and drivers to experience ISA firsthand; engaging with drivers throughout deployment; starting with small-scale pilots; and customizing systems based on operational needs.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has contributed significantly to reducing road fatalities through research into vehicle safety and driver behavior according to its official website. The organization operates the Vehicle Research Center in Ruckersville, Virginia for crash tests and safety assessments as reported by IIHS. It was established by three major insurance associations representing most of the U.S. auto insurance market according to IIHS. Its mission includes minimizing deaths, injuries, and property damage from crashes through research and education aimed at consumers and policymakers as stated by IIHS. In marking its 50th anniversary in 2009, IIHS conducted a crash test comparing a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air with a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu to show improvements in vehicle safety according to IIHS. The institute’s work has influenced primary seat belt laws and graduated driver licensing policies across multiple states as noted by IIHS.
Looking ahead, experts suggest that broader adoption of active ISA could play an important role not only within fleets but also in improving overall road safety.
