Within the next five years, automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems will be mandatory for heavy trucks and buses, according to a recent announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This move mirrors a similar mandate issued last month for passenger cars and light trucks, reflecting the agency's increasing focus on advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to enhance road safety.

NHTSA Chief Counsel Ann Carlson emphasized the life-saving potential of AEB systems, stating that they can significantly mitigate the severity and frequency of rear-end collisions, rollovers, and accidents stemming from loss of driver control. She highlighted this requirement as a crucial advancement in preventing traffic fatalities and injuries.

The proposed rule, anticipated to be finalized next year, applies to new trucks and buses exceeding 10,000 pounds. Heavier trucks (over 26,000 pounds) will need to implement the system within three years of the rule's finalization, while vehicles between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds have until 2028.

AEB systems utilize forward-facing cameras and sensors to anticipate imminent collisions. If the driver fails to react, the system automatically engages the brakes, or enhances driver-applied braking force as needed. The proposed standard mandates system functionality at speeds between 6 and 50 mph.

The trucking industry has expressed support for the mandate. Dan Horvath, vice president of safety policy for the American Trucking Associations, affirmed the industry's commitment to proven safety technologies like AEB, calling the proposal "timely and appropriate" following the similar regulation for passenger vehicles.

NHTSA data reveals approximately 60,000 rear-end crashes annually involving heavy trucks or buses as the striking vehicle. The agency projects the new rule will prevent over 19,000 crashes, save 155 lives, and prevent nearly 9,000 injuries each year. The parallel rule for passenger vehicles and light trucks is expected to prevent at least 360 fatalities and 24,000 injuries annually.

The Department of Transportation, which oversees NHTSA, views this proposal as a significant stride towards reducing traffic deaths. While roadway fatalities saw a slight decrease to 42,795 last year, the agency acknowledges the ongoing national crisis. These AEB mandates stem from a provision in the 2021 infrastructure law requiring automatic braking in all vehicles, both commercial and passenger.

As of December, 15 automakers had already integrated AEB technology as standard in most or all new models, with General Motors aiming for near-universal implementation by the end of the model year. While promising, AEB systems are not without their challenges. NHTSA is currently investigating incidents of unintended braking activation in systems from Tesla, Honda, and Freightliner.