The Joint Research Centre has conducted a series of measurements to check the efficiency of pedestrian dummies in testing autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems in conventional cars. Conclusions show that results of the 2 frequency bands do not show significant differences. However, in the higher frequency bands, the height of the pedestrian has a clearer effect on the RCS averages observed.

Two very important functions of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) sensors are to detect other vehicles and, more importantly, to detect pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles and other vulnerable road users. Therefore, in the run-up to more widespread AEB systems in conventional cars, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) has conducted a series of measurements to check the efficiency of pedestrian dummies in testing these devices.

During the testing, a first qualitative comparison of the RCS signatures between dummies and humans was completed and results show that the RCS averages of the available dummies are slightly below those of the humans. The researchers also designed a dedicated set of measurements to assess the impact of clothing on the measured RCS signatures. It was found that in most cases clothing did not impact significantly on the RCS signatures observed.

Currently, a wide range of new technologies including intelligent speed adaptation and radar-based collision avoidance systems are being widely deployed to improve road safety levels and reduce these casualties. The Commission wants to halve the number of road deaths in the EU by 2020. Vulnerable road users, such as riders of motorcycles, mopeds, cyclists and pedestrians represented 45% of all road deaths in 2008 and are currently still increasing. In 2009, the overall number of deaths on the road was 35 000 and no fewer than 1,5 million people were injured. Associated costs represented 130 billion euros that year.