Arlington, VA - A recent study by an insurance industry's highway safety research institute reveals that high-visibility, reflective clothing may create “blind spots” for the pedestrian-sensing automatic emergency braking (AEB) technology in certain vehicles.

Researchers tested the AEB performance of three 2023 vehicle models. They dressed a test dummy in various outfits and simulated pedestrian crossing scenarios to observe how the AEB systems, designed to prevent collisions using sensor technology, would respond. The vehicles moved at 25 mph under conditions of no roadway lighting, as well as 10 and 20 lux illumination (the federally recommended lighting level) in crosswalks.

Findings showed that two vehicle models hit the dummy in most tests, failing to slow down even when the dummy wore reflective strips on joints and limbs. The third model avoided contact in all but one test. When the dummy wore black clothes and there was no lighting, the two problematic models slowed significantly with high beams on. But with low beams, one didn’t slow at all, and the other reduced speed by less than a third.

These results indicate that some automakers need to refine their pedestrian AEB systems. Ironically, the clothing meant to keep pedestrians, cyclists, and road workers safe might actually hinder their detection by crash avoidance technology, likely confusing the sensors with the moving reflective strips.