ATRI Study for FMCSA Gauges Value of Safety Systems

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released the results of a study led by the American Transportation Research Institute that quantifies the potential return on investment offered by three types of onboard truck safety systems.

The three systems included in the study were forward-collision warning, roll-stability control, and lane-departure warning.

Forward-collision warning can return $1.33 to $7.22 for every $1 invested, returning initial cost in eight to 37 months, according to the study. Lane-departure warning systems can return $1.37 to $6.55 for every $1 invested. Upfront costs can be recovered in nine to 37 months, ATRI said.

Roll-stability control systems can return $1.66 to $9.36 for every $1 invested. ATRI pegged the ROI for these systems at six to 30 months.

The study assumed that the crashes prevented by these systems would have been incurred by self-insured, large-size motor carriers, or carriers with insurance deductibles at or above total crash costs, ATRI said.