Have We Underestimated the Challenges With Automation? [Connected and Automated Vehicles]

The research shows that over 90% of all accidents are due to human error. Automated vehicle technologies hold the promise of decreasing the number of accidents. However, accidents are complex and usually there is a chain of events leading up to an accident. For example, take a signalized intersection, where a pedestrian enters the crosswalk against a red light when the traffic light turns green for vehicles. Vehicle A (across the intersection) detects the pedestrian and it drives slowly, crossing the intersection. Vehicle B behind Vehicle A changes lanes due to the unprecedented low speed of Vehicle A, and in the new lane Vehicle C coming with higher speed from behind cannot avoid hitting Vehicle B. The root cause of this accident is due to a pedestrian not following the traffic rules. A chain of unfortunate events takes place due to this. The root cause of an accident is in many cases just like in the example. Vehicle B does not know why Vehicle A is driving slowly (e.g., it could be due to a faulty vehicle). When the police arrive at the scene, only Vehicle B and Vehicle C will be left, and Vehicle C will be held responsible for the accident due to the rear-end hitting of Vehicle B.