Retrofitting ADAS for enhanced truck safety: analysis through systematic review, cost–benefit assessment, and pilot field testing

Road transport remains a dominant mode of transportation in Europe, yet it significantly contributes to fatalities and injuries, particularly in crashes involving heavy goods vehicles and trucks. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are widely recognized as a promising solution for improving truck safety. However, given that the average age of the EU truck fleet is 12 years and ADAS technologies is mandatory for new vehicles from 2024, their full impact on crash reduction may take over a decade to materialize. To address this delay, retrofitting ADAS onto existing truck fleets presents a viable strategy for enhancing road safety more promptly. This study integrates a systematic literature review, cost-benefit analysis, and a pilot field test to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of retrofitting ADAS. The literature review categorizes ADAS technologies based on their crash prevention potential, cost-effectiveness, market availability, and overall efficacy. A cost-benefit analysis applied to the Italian context estimates that ADAS retrofitting could save over 250 lives annually and reduce societal costs by more than 350 million. Moreover, the economic analysis indicates that the installation cost of retrofitted ADAS is outweighed by the societal savings associated with prevented crashes. Finally, pilot field testing suggests high user acceptance, providing a foundation for further large-scale studies. In conclusion, retrofitting ADAS onto existing truck fleets represents an effective and immediate strategy for significantly reducing truck-related crashes in Europe, bridging the gap until newer, ADAS-equipped vehicles dominate the fleet.