The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP Safety) has launched a new research project to better understand the real-world performance and driver experience of Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) systems in vehicles. This study follows consumer feedback indicating that these safety systems, while potentially lifesaving, can make driving less comfortable.
“This research project represents a proactive step by ANCAP to help vehicle manufacturers improve the functionality, calibration, and integration of their active safety systems,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg.
“Good system design and proper tuning are critical to consumer acceptance. The aspects we’re examining are those manufacturers should already consider in their systems.”
The study will focus on vehicle path and position, intervention timing, steering torque and angle, as well as lateral vehicle acceleration.
According to ANCAP, the initial group of tested vehicles compared to a benchmark vehicle shows that many cars need to improve their lane support systems’ performance.
“The pilot group of vehicle models we assessed came from direct consumer feedback, highlighting specific models that offer a fairly rudimentary response. This behaviour is leading consumers to question the benefits of these systems, and in some cases, turn them off,” Ms Hoorweg said.
“We want to avoid these systems being labelled as ‘annoying’ and switched off,” Ms Hoorweg added. “Our goal is to highlight differences in vehicle behaviour and, by sharing these results, encourage manufacturers to enhance their systems. This will improve consumer acceptance of these systems.”
“Last week, Mitsubishi responded well to this type of feedback by rolling out an update to its Driver Monitoring System to enhance the driving experience of its Triton,” Ms Hoorweg noted.
ANCAP will share the study’s findings with car manufacturers, which will help shape its 2026-2028 safety testing standards. The study will continue throughout the year, with full results expected later.
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