Rear End Collision Avoidance Case Study and Survey Results

The Effectiveness of

Rear-End Collision

Avoidance Technology

Presented to Tri-State NAFA Chapter

November 3, 2015

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information herein is Confidential Information. Pulse is protected by either of the following US Patents 6943677 / 6720871

Driver safety is a top priority

• Driver Behavior is responsible for 90% of all accidents

• 6 million car accidents occurred in the U.S. (NHTSA 2013)

• Over 40% (2.5 million) were rear-end collisions, up from 29% back in 2007

• Why has there been such a large increase?



Definition

A Rear-End Collision: When one vehicle is struck from behind by another vehicle drive by

“The Other Guy”.



Rear-End Collisions

Leading Causes

1. Distracted Driving

2. Tailgating

3. Hazardous Weather

4. Speed

5. Impaired Driving

Source: Lewis & Thompkins, P.C.



Rear-End Collisions

To prepare your drivers, you implement a Safety Program which may include:

• Annual Safe Driver Training

• Implementation of Defensive Driving Tactics

• Safe Driver Corporate Policies and Procedures

• Deployment of Vehicle Telematics

• Drug and Alcohol Testing

But What Can You Do To Protect Your Drivers From “The Other Guy”?



The Solution

Brake lights are a simple rear-facing visual alert system designed to get the attention of the “Other Guy”.

What if the standard visual alert system could be drastically enhanced?



The Solution

1986: DOT study considers a 3rd brake light, and finds it is 40% more effective than 2

2006: DOT repeats the study and finds that the 3rd brake light is now only 5% effective

2009: DOT studies effectiveness of a flashing 3rd brake light with staggering results



The Solution• Flashing 3rd

brake lights were 69% more likely to attract drivers attention

• Improved reaction time by 50%



What about in the real world?!

Pulse commissioned a long term, large scale pilot project to quantify:

• Reduction in quantity of incidents

• Reduction in severity of incidents

• Cost savings



John Moore Services

• A residential heating, plumbing, electrical contractor

• 273 Sprinter and Econoline vans

• 12 – 14 exposure hours per driver, each day

• Over 100 miles per vehicle per day in heavy urban traffic in Houston, Texas



John Moore Services

Pulse deployed on the entire fleet, 10/1/2014



John Moore Services

• 11 insurance claims for rear-end collisions in the 2 years proceeding installation

• 0 insurance claims for rear-end collisions in 12 months after installation

• Risk reduction resulted in insurance discount at renewal



Solid Results

Study after study, flashing 3rd brake lights have demonstrated to be effective solutions in

preventing REC’s.



Industry SurveyHow does John Moore Services rear end collision history compare to other fleets?

1. Number of Vehicles

2. Miles and Hours on the Road

3. How Concerning Are Rear-End Collisions

4. How Many Rear-End Collisions

5. All-in Cost of a Rear-End Collision

6. Likelihood of Deploying an Effective Safety Device if Cost was less than $200

7. Primary Organizational Considerations



Industry Survey

Fleet Size

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1 to 100 101 to 500 501 to 1000 More than 1000

Number of Vehicles



Industry Survey

Average exposure hours per vehicle per day:

8.3 hours

Average miles driven per vehicle per year:

38,329 miles



Industry SurveyHow Concerning are Rear-End Concerns

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Not at All Not Very Neutral Concerned Very Concerned

80% of respondents are concerned about rear end collisions!



Industry SurveyHow Many Rear-End Collisions per Year?

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Less than 1 1 to 4 5 to 8 9 to 12 More than 12

How can we get more companies to experience less

than 4 rear end collisions annually?



Industry Survey

What is included in the

“all in” cost of Rear-

End Collisions?:

• Personal Injury

• Property Damage

• Lost Time

• Down Time

• Works Comp / EMR

• Increased Insurance

Premiums



Industry Survey

How likely would you be to employ a $200 safety device,

if it could reduce your rear-end collisions by at least 50%?

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Not at All Not Very Neutral Likely Very Likely



Industry SurveyPrimary Organizational Considerations

0

5

10

15

20

25

Financial Metrics Manufacturer

Objections

Budget Process Compliance Other

Return on Investment is by far the biggest concern.



Financial Impact of Pilot Study

Assuming:• All-in cost of a rear-end collision is $12,500

• Average of 5.5 rear-end collisions per year without Pulse ($68,750 annual cost of rear-end collisions)

• Total cost to outfit fleet of 273 vehicles was $32,487

If Pulse reduces collisions by 50% & saves $50 per vehicle in insurance premium

• Annual savings of $48,025

• Annual savings of $176 per vehicle

• Investment payback in only 8 months

• 740% ROI (5 year asset life)



I Have The Solution

Lori OlsonFleet Sales Manager

317-941-3317

[email protected]

www.pulseprotects.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.pulseprotects.com/

Automotive

Rear End Collision Avoidance Case Study and Survey Results