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Published VersionCC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
A content analysis exploring adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning systems in vehicle manuals
Transportation Research. Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.118, pp.1-12
2026
Abstract
Despite advancements in vehicle technology such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) and forward collision warnings (FCW), rear-end crashes remain an overrepresented crash type. Given the increasing penetration rate of ACC and FCW, it is timely to explore the functions, limitations, and customisations of these systems as specified in vehicle manuals. The current study employed a content analysis to explore a) whether these systems align with recommended safe following distances and b) whether limitations of these systems are related to areas associated with rear-end crashes. A sub-group of the top 200 registered vehicles in Queensland, Australia (n = 55 models) were represented in the content analysis. After removing ineligible vehicles (i.e., registrations of a non-motor vehicle, not manufactured during 2013–2023) and sourcing vehicle manuals (i.e., from Australian manufacturers and third-party websites, email requests to manufactures), a total of 41 models (20 makes) were included. Extracted data was coded to reflect the functions, limitations, and customisable features of these systems. Findings identified a small number of ACC systems aligned with the recommended safe following distance, with the remaining manuals providing insufficient or ambiguous information. Both ACC and FCW systems were limited in common driving situations, including conditions known to contribute to rear-end crashes. Reliance on drivers to use ACC only in appropriate conditions may lead to improper use, reducing the effectiveness of this system in reducing rear-end crashes. Moving forward, it appears warranted that information on ACC and FCW is consistent across manuals to provide drivers with clear and comprehensive detail.
Details
- Title
- A content analysis exploring adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning systems in vehicle manuals
- Authors
- Michelle Nicolls (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Road Safety Research CollaborationJune Engeland - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Road Safety Research CollaborationGregoire Larue - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Road Safety Research Collaboration
- Publication details
- Transportation Research. Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.118, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.trf.2026.103549
- ISSN
- 1873-5517; 1369-8478
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- Data will be made available on request.
- Grant note
- This research was funded by the MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration Grant. The Motor Accident Insurance Commission provided funding to the University of the Sunshine Coast to support the MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration to conduct research activities that aim to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle crashes.
- Organisation Unit
- Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991202951002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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