Optimizing road safety with thermal imaging cameras

Thermal imaging camera Driver assistance systems recognize pedestrians at night

2025-01-10 From Hendrik Härter | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

Related Vendors

FAULHABER Drive Systems

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Thermal imaging cameras can be used to reliably detect pedestrians, cyclists or even obstacles at dusk or at night. Tests by Teledyne Flir and VSI Labs show that conventional systems reach their limits, while thermal imaging cameras deliver reliable results.

Thermal imaging cameras complement driver assistance systems in poor visibility conditions and at night.(Image: Flir) — Thermal imaging cameras complement driver assistance systems in poor visibility conditions and at night.
(Image: Flir)

The integration of thermal imaging cameras into driver assistance systems improves road safety in poor visibility conditions - both in the USA and in Europe. Teledyne Flir OEM and VSI Labs have demonstrated in vehicle tests that thermal imaging technology is superior to conventional systems, especially in detecting pedestrians and wildlife at night. In the US, FMVSS No. 127 introduces a new regulation that will require Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) systems to reliably detect pedestrians in low-light conditions and at higher speeds starting in 2029.

This is also relevant in Europe, where the EU's General Safety Regulation (GSR) has been setting similar standards for driver assistance systems since 2022. Both markets aim to reduce the number of traffic fatalities, particularly in night-time accidents, which account for almost 80 percent of fatal accidents involving pedestrians.

The use of a thermal imaging camera

Tests with a research vehicle equipped with a PAEB system demonstrated the advantages of thermal imaging technology:

Thermal emergency braking systems, which combine infrared cameras, radar and visible cameras, passed all day and night tests, regardless of headlights.
Conventional systems that only use radar and visible cameras failed in several night-time tests. These systems are heavily dependent on headlight performance.

A heated, thermally active test dummy from 4activeSystems, which simulates a realistic human heat signature, was used for the tests and is considered a benchmark for future PAEB test protocols with thermal imaging cameras. The results show that thermal imaging cameras can reliably detect pedestrians, wildlife and other obstacles even in poor visibility conditions such as darkness, shadows, fog or glare. They enable early warning, improve braking distance planning and reduce false alarms, which significantly increases safety for both pedestrians and vehicle users.

Relevance for Europe

The technology is of particular interest in Europe, as wildlife accidents pose a significant challenge, especially in rural areas. Thermal imaging cameras can detect wild animals at an early stage and prevent accidents. In addition, the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities in the long term, will rely heavily on advanced technologies. European vehicle manufacturers such as VW, BMW and Mercedes-Benz will increasingly have to take global standards into account and develop systems that comply with both US and EU regulations. (heh)

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Date: 08.12.2025

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