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Transport Canada – COUNTERING EXCESSIVE SPEED THROUGH VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY – INTELLIGENT SPEED ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS

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Author: Caroll Lau & Dr. Peter Burns

Caroll Lau is a Human Factors Specialist at Transport Canada, where she conducts applied vehicle safety research focusing on driver distraction, human-machine interfaces in automated vehicles, and safety perceptions of advanced technologies. Her work covers areas like vulnerable road user detection, user experience with automated vehicles and driver monitoring systems. Her work helps shape national and international standards and regulations of motor vehicle safety. 

Dr. Peter Burns manages the Human Factors & Crash Avoidance division at Transport Canada, where he leads applied research and test method development focused on driver behavior and vehicle safety technologies. With over 30 years of experience in road safety research, Dr. Burns specializes in human factors, driver interaction with automation, and the evaluation of interface design and driver monitoring systems. His work supports the development of motor vehicle safety standards in Canada and internationally.

Abstract

Speeding is a significant contributor to road trauma in Canada, yet it is widely celebrated in motorsports and media. Research shows that speeding increases both the likelihood and severity of motor vehicle collisions and injuries. To address this issue, Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems, which help drivers comply with speed limits, are being explored as a potential solution. ISA systems have already been mandated in Europe and the United Kingdom (UK), yielding promising results in reducing road injuries, fatalities, and even CO2 emissions. While ISA systems have not yet been widely deployed in Canada, there is growing interest in their potential to improve road safety, especially with the increasing availability of such technology in vehicles. Public perception of ISA is generally positive, and its potential to reduce road collisions makes it a compelling area for research and potential future deployment.

The Challenges of Celebrating Speed

Speed is celebrated globally. Motorsports embrace speed. Formula 1 racing, with over 750 million fans worldwide, showcases cars reaching over 300 km/h, with dramatic crashes often seen as part of the entertainment. Hollywood also glorifies speed—high-speed chases are a staple in action films, and an entire blockbuster franchise, The Fast and the Furious, revolves around fast and aggressive driving. Automotive advertising fuels this obsession, linking speed to luxury, power, and status.

This relentless glorification of speed has real-world consequences. The appeal of speed is not limited to racetracks and movie screens—it influences how people drive. Motor vehicle safety has improved remarkably, yet modern cars are more powerful than ever, with increased horsepower and acceleration making it easier to speed. Speeding remains one of the leading contributors to motor vehicle fatalities in Canada, with excessive speed, or driving too fast for conditions, contributing to 21.9% of fatal collisions in 2022 (1). The normalization of speed in media and advertising likely contributes to risky driving habits; according to a public opinion survey by the Canadian Automobile Association (2), nearly 70% of Canadians admitted to speeding at least once a year on residential roads, half reported speeding on highways, and at least one in five drivers regularly exceeds the speed limit. The risks are undeniable—speeding by just 10 km/h over the limit increases the likelihood of a collision by 60% (3), and drivers with speeding tickets are more likely to be involved in future crashes (4).

Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) Systems

There have been numerous efforts by municipal and provincial jurisdictions to reduce speeding, such as deploying automated speed enforcement cameras and reducing posted speed limits on roads (5). Additionally, Transport Canada is exploring other means to address speeding through the deployment of advanced vehicle technologies such as Intelligent Speed Assistance systems (ISA). ISA systems are advanced driver assistance technologies that can be installed in new vehicles, either as standard equipment or as an optional feature (12). These systems are designed to aid drivers comply with speed limits by using geospatial data, traffic sign recognition technology, or both (6, 12). ISA systems can be categorized as “passive” or “active”. Passive ISA systems display current speed limits on the dashboard, inform drivers when speed limits change, and issue warnings when the vehicle exceeds the limit (6, 7), while active ISA systems directly intervene by preventing the driver from exceeding the posted speed limit. However, active ISA systems can generally be overridden, typically by pressing harder on the accelerator pedal to bypass the speed limit restriction. 

Intelligent Speed Assistance System Deployment

The implementation of ISA systems shows promise in reducing injuries and fatalities on the roads (6). ISA has already been deployed on public roads in Europe and the United Kingdom (UK). For example, as of 2019, all new London transit buses have been required to be equipped with active ISA (8). As part of the European Union's (EU) General Safety Regulation 2019/2144, all new passenger vehicles available from July 2024 onwards must be equipped with either passive or active ISA systems (9). The National Transportation Safety Board in the USA issued a safety recommendation to include either passive or active ISA systems in all new vehicles, following a fatal multi-vehicle collision caused by a driver speeding and running a red light (10). Additionally, several states have mandated that drivers convicted of excessive speeding must have active ISA systems installed in their vehicles. One notable case is California, which took a broader approach by proposing that all new vehicles sold be equipped with some form of ISA (6).  However,  this proposal was recently vetoed by the governor due to concerns about undermining the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s role in regulating vehicle safety standards and their ongoing work in evaluating ISA systems (13). 

Public perceptions of ISA technology are an important consideration to successful deployment. In 2024, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a survey of drivers’ attitudes and perceptions towards ISA. They found that 60% of drivers are more likely to accept passive ISA systems, while only 50% supported the use of active ISA systems (11). With the rise of photo radar enforcement and other speed control interventions, ISA systems could become more appealing to consumers seeking to avoid costly speeding fines. The benefits to implementing ISA on public roads and in passenger vehicles have been projected to reduce injury and fatalities between 19 – 28%, with even greater reductions of 26 – 50% on urban roads and highway settings (6). In addition to enhancing road safety, ISA usage is also associated with environmental benefits. The UK has predicted a reduction of CO2 emissions with the adoption of ISA technology.

Intelligent Speed Assistance Systems and Canada: Limits and Challenges

While ISA has gained traction in Europe, there are currently no requirements for this technology on passenger vehicles in Canada. Some provinces mandate speed limiters on trucks, capping their speed at 105 km/h, but these limiters are not 'intelligent' and do not prevent speeding in lower-limit zones. Moreover, ISA has not been recently evaluated with Canadian drivers in real-world traffic conditions. Further research is needed to assess its safety potential, limitations, and effectiveness within the Canadian driving environment, as well as to explore driver-focused interventions that could promote user acceptance.

It is important to verify the accuracy of speed limit detection to ensure it reliably prevents speeding, especially in critical areas like school zones. There are concerns that ISA may incorrectly detect speed limits from adjacent roads, leading to false readings. Additionally, there is a risk that drivers might become overly reliant on the system, reducing their attentiveness to posted speed limits and changing road conditions. It is also uncertain whether ISA can adequately help drivers adjust their speed in challenging conditions, such as slippery winter roads or low-visibility scenarios (e.g., driving too fast for conditions), when speeds below the posted limit may be necessary.

Public acceptance poses another critical challenge. Given how deeply speed is ingrained in automotive culture, ISA—especially active ISA, which directly limits speed—is likely to face significant pushback from drivers who view it as intrusive and undermining their control. While passive ISA, which provides warnings, may be more tolerated, persistent alerts can still prove frustrating. In Europe, some drivers have described ISA warnings as distracting or even prompting unsafe behaviors, such as deliberately overriding the system. To mitigate these issues, a well-designed human-machine interface (HMI) is essential to ensure ISA promotes safer driving rather than becoming a source of annoyance or disengagement.

Moving forward, a technology scan is needed to assess the ISA systems currently available on the market. This assessment should focus on safety performance, human factors (such as interface design and warning effectiveness), and public acceptance. Gaining these insights will be crucial in determining if ISA can be effectively integrated into Canadian road safety initiatives.

Conclusion

ISA technology holds significant potential to reduce speed-related road-traffic injuries and fatalities in Canada. However, rigorous evaluation is needed to fully understand ISA’s safety potential, limitations, and to help inform potential implementation requirements. Even in Formula 1 racing—where cutting-edge vehicle technology reigns—speed limiters are employed in the pit lane to protect crew members, demonstrating that intelligent speed control is essential for safety, even at the highest levels of performance. As ISA technology becomes more widely available, Canadian drivers should stay informed about its benefits—especially when considering their next vehicle purchase.

References:

  1. Transport Canada. (2024). Canadian motor vehicle traffic collision statistics: 2022. Government of Canada. Retrieved from https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/statistics-data/canadian-motor-vehicle-traffic-collision-statistics-2022
  2. Canadian Automobile Association. (2024). Canadians speeding in large numbers, CAA finds. CAA National. Retrieved from https://www.caa.ca/news/canadians-speeding-in-large-numbers-caa-finds/
  3. Traffic Injury Research Foundation. (2020). Is faster really better when it comes to driving? Retrieved from https://tirf.ca/blog/is-faster-really-better-when-it-comes-to-driving/
  4. Walton, D., & Hendy, R. (2024). Drivers’ long-term crash risks associated with being ticketed for speeding. Journal of Safety Research, 91, 431–436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2024.02.009
  5. Automated Speed Enforcement Ontario. (2017). Automated speed enforcement. Retrieved from https://www.aseontario.com/
  6. New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services. (2024). New York City Intelligent Speed Assistance Pilot Evaluation: Analysis and findings. Retrieved from https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/fleet/nyc-intelligent-speed-assistance-pilot-evaluation-2024-oct.pdf
  7. Lai, F., Carsten, O., & Tate, F. (2012). How much benefit does Intelligent Speed Assistance deliver: An analysis of its potential contribution to safety and environment. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 48, 63–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2011.03.011
  8. Transport for London. (2022). Bus safety. Retrieved from https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/safety-and-security/road-safety/bus-safety
  9. European Road Safety Charter. (2024). Intelligent speed assistance (ISA) set to become mandatory across Europe. Retrieved from https://road-safety-charter.ec.europa.eu/resources-knowledge/media-and-press/intelligent-speed-assistance-isa-set-become-mandatory-across
  10. National Transportation Safety Board. (2025). Safety recommendation report: Implementing Intelligent Speed Assistance Systems to enhance safety. Retrieved from https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/H-23-014
  11. Reagan, I. J., & Cicchino, J. B. (2024). ISA in the USA? The likelihood of U.S. drivers accepting and using intelligent speed assistance. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 109, 242–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.03.004
  12. Transport Canada. (2021). Speed alert. Government of Canada. Retrieved from https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/driver-assistance-technologies/other-driver-assistance-systems/speed-alert
  13. Office of the Governor [Internet]. (2024). Available from: https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SB-961-Veto-Message.pdf