Level 2 driver-assistance systems may be working as intended

Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are designed to enhance safety and reduce driving stress. Based on the results of two recent studies meant to assess ADAS effectiveness, the systems may be living up to their billing. At the 2020 SAE Government/Industry Meeting in Washington, DC, researchers presented largely positive results of two studies of production-vehicle ADAS that provide driver assistance at Level 2 in the SAE J3016 automated-driving standard.

Level 2 automated-driving functionality essentially indicates that “support” features to control speed and braking (longitudinal control) as well as lane-keeping assist (lateral control) can be operating alone or jointly, but require the driver's constant supervision and ability to re-assume control at any time.