New research from Ascential Technologies, detailed in a whitepaper co-sponsored by Dealer Tire under the Sentric ADAS brand, underscores the critical importance of properly performed post-crash Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) calibrations. The study also highlights the potential need for routine maintenance to ensure the ongoing proper functionality and safety of vehicle systems. Titled “The importance of ADAS calibration for collision prevention and road safety,” the whitepaper presents a new study examining various ADAS calibration methods and their effects on vehicle performance, specifically focusing on the need for precise recalibration after collisions or repairs.

In January, Ascential Technologies conducted rigorous evaluations on a 2024 Nissan Altima test vehicle with approximately 13,000 miles. Utilizing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing procedures, the Altima’s forward-facing radar and camera-based ADAS features were assessed, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), pedestrian AEB (PAEB), lane departure warning/lane keep assist (LDW/LKA), and adaptive cruise control. Calibration scenarios ranged from replicating original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards to deliberately poor conditions, such as misaligned sensor mounting and suboptimal calibration environments.

Photo Credit: MRT Auto Clinic

The test vehicle had never been involved in a collision; instead, repairs were mimicked to demonstrate the consequences of uncalibrated vehicles post-repair. Poor calibration scenarios were simulated by performing calibrations outside, on sloped floors, and without adhering to OEM standards, while “good calibration” tests utilized Ascential’s calibration equipment available to the repair market.

The test findings revealed significant insights into ADAS performance. For instance, no calibration of LDW resulted in complete system failure, while poor calibration introduced dangerous asymmetry and unpredictability, even when systems appeared functional. Conversely, good calibration consistently restored factory-level performance. In tests involving forward collision warning (FCW) and crash imminent braking (CIB), good calibration led to the most consistent and timely alerts, providing the longest average stopping margin and highest reliability. Disturbingly, the non-calibration test for these features resulted in no brake engagement and full impact to the target vehicle in all performed tests. For PAEB, good calibration more than doubled the stopping margin compared to the baseline and was the only configuration that delivered early alerts and consistent avoidance.

Based on this comprehensive data, Ascential Technologies drew several critical conclusions: “Good calibration restores and enhances ADAS performance;” “Poor calibration introduces dangerous unpredictability, even when systems appear functional;” “No calibration results in silent failure, with systems failing to activate at all;” and “Baseline systems degrade over time, reinforcing the need for calibration as a maintenance item.” Brunno Moretti, Ascential Technologies ADAS solutions president, commented on the research, stating that the paper is a crucial initial step in understanding the impact of varying calibration qualities, though he recognized the need for more extensive testing. He noted that even baseline systems exhibited some problems and that poorly calibrated systems showed significant variability in stopping distances compared to the high tolerances of good calibrations.

The whitepaper emphasizes that ADAS performance is highly dependent on precise sensor calibration. As ADAS technology becomes increasingly standard in modern vehicles, maintaining system accuracy post-repair is no longer merely a best practice but a necessity for ensuring safety, functionality, and regulatory compliance. The upcoming enforcement of a new NHTSA Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS 127) further underscores the vital importance of proper ADAS functionality and calibration accuracy. By September 2029, FMVSS 127 will mandate AEB and PAEB as standard features on all passenger cars and light trucks up to 10,000 pounds. This standard will require AEB to stop and avoid rear-end crashes at up to 62 mph and to engage at up to 90 mph when a collision with a lead vehicle is imminent, as well as detect pedestrians in daylight and at night at speeds up to 45 mph.

Beyond immediate safety, the paper highlights that improper calibration jeopardizes road safety and exposes service providers and vehicle owners to significant legal and regulatory risks. It stresses the critical role of accurate ADAS calibration in protecting human lives and ensuring future compliance, positing that calibration integrity will be essential for advancing vehicle safety technologies and maintaining public trust as the industry evolves.

The whitepaper also references research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which found that vehicles equipped with FCW and AEB are involved in approximately 50% fewer rear-end collisions compared to similar models without these systems, with FCW alone reducing rear-end crashes by about 27%. Due to proven effectiveness, most automakers voluntarily made ADAS standard on their vehicles by 2022. These systems significantly cut insurance claims for vehicle damage and injuries.

Furthermore, the National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that current ADAS technologies have the potential to prevent around 62% of traffic deaths and approximately 60% of crash injuries annually if widely implemented, which translates to roughly 20,000 lives saved per year in the U.S. Even when crashes are not entirely avoided, ADAS often mitigates severity by reducing impact speeds through warnings and braking.