An Assessment of the Tesla Model 3's Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking Systems against a Stationary Pedestrian Target 2024-01-2482

A total of 93 tests were conducted in daytime conditions to evaluate the effect on the Time to Collision (TTC), emergency braking, and avoidance rates of the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) provided by a 2022 Tesla Model 3 against a 4ActivePA adult static pedestrian target. Variables that were evaluated included the vehicle speed on approach, pedestrian offsets, pedestrian clothing, and user-selected FCW settings. As a part of the Tesla’s Collision Avoidance Assist^TM, these user-selected FCW settings change the timing of the issuance of the visual and/or audible warning provided. This testing evaluated the Tesla at speeds of 25 and 35 miles per hour (mph) versus a stationary pedestrian target in early, medium, and late FCW settings. Testing was also conducted with a 50% pedestrian offset and 75% offset conditions relative to the right side of the Tesla. The pedestrian target was clothed with and without a reflective safety vest to account for different conspicuity during the testing. The TTC at FCW and AEB, emergency braking deceleration and the avoidance rates were compared between different settings and test parameters. The test data was also compared against the IIHS pedestrian tests at different speeds and scenarios.