Speeding remains a leading cause of road fatalities, claiming countless lives and costing municipalities billions in avoidable costs each year. New York City, as part of its Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities, has embraced intelligent speed assistance (ISA) to address this issue.
Background
Launched in 2022 by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) in collaboration with the U.S. DOT Volpe Center, this program introduced active ISA technology to 500 municipal fleet vehicles. The results? A groundbreaking 64% reduction in speeding incidents.
This real-world application allowed for a comprehensive analysis of ISA’s effectiveness and usability, setting the foundation for larger-scale implementation.
Key Findings from the Evaluation Report
The results from the pilot were nothing short of transformative, demonstrating the life-saving potential of ISA technology.
Reduction in Speeding Incidents
Vehicles equipped with ISA experienced a 64% reduction in speeding incidents compared to the control group. On high-speed roads, like highways, this reduction soared to 82%, highlighting just how effective ISA can be, particularly in high-risk environments.
Positive Impact on “High-Risk” Vehicles
The program targeted 158 vehicles classified as “high-risk” due to prior speeding violations. These vehicles saw significant improvements, with a nearly 50% decrease in severe speeding behaviors. Success in this cohort underscores ISA’s role as an effective tool for addressing habitual speeding.
Time Spent Overspeeding Reduced
The amount of time drivers spent exceeding the speed limit by more than 11 mph dropped significantly after ISA was activated. Before implementation, these high-speed instances made up over 3% of total driving time. After activation, that number fell to just 1.14% — a clear indication that ISA effectively curbs dangerous speeding behavior.
Scalability and Adaptability
Across all vehicle types, ISA demonstrated universal effectiveness. From school buses to utility trucks, the technology translated seamlessly, proving it operates well across diverse applications.
Implications and Benefits of LifeSafer ISA
ISA technology holds enormous potential for creating safer roads and encouraging smarter driving habits — and its impact goes far beyond NYC’s pilot. LifeSafer ISA sets itself apart from traditional speed governors. Rather than simply enforcing compliance, LifeSafer’s approach focuses on active speed limiting and promoting lasting behavioral change. With configurable settings and real-time speed control, these devices are designed to support broader road safety initiatives that often begin at home.
LifeSafer ISA doesn’t just prevent speeding; it creates a culture of accountability by instilling values of safe driving in drivers from day one. By educating drivers through real-time feedback, LifeSafer ISA fosters long-term changes that ripple across communities.
Moving Forward
The Pilot Program’s success in NYC exemplifies the measurable, life-saving impact of ISA technology. By tackling the issue of speeding at both the individual and systemic levels, ISA is helping pave the way toward a future of safer driving.
Contact us to learn more about how LifeSafer ISA is shaping the future of road safety and how you can install ISA in your vehicle or fleet.
