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While only a small percentage of drivers say they would be completely comfortable in a driverless car, a sizable amount would have no problem as long as they retain some control, according to a University of Michigan report.
Researchers Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak of the U-M Transportation Research Institute examined motorists' preferences for vehicle automation, including their overall concern about riding in self-driving cars.
They surveyed 505 licensed drivers and found about 44 percent prefer to retain full control while driving. Nearly 16 percent would rather ride in a completely self-driving vehicle, while almost 41 percent said they prefer a partially self-driving vehicle with only occasional control by the driver.
Male drivers and drivers under 45 are more likely to favor partially or completely self-driving vehicles, the researchers say.
"Self-driving vehicles are often discussed in regard to their potential safety, energy-consumption and environmental benefits, or the existing technical challenges that must be overcome for their successful implementation," Schoettle said. "However, less attention has been paid to considering the actual level of automation, if any, that drivers desire in their vehicle."
While about two-thirds of those surveyed said they are at least moderately concerned about riding in completely self-driving vehicles, that percentage drops to less than half for partially self-driving cars. Women and those 45 and older are more apt to have concerns with either level of automation. According to the U-M report, nearly all respondents (96 percent) would want to have a steering wheel and gas and brake pedals available in completely self-driving vehicles.
As for partially self-driving vehicles, 59 percent of those surveyed said they prefer a combination of three warning modes (sound, visual, vibration) to notify drivers when to take control of the vehicle. About 19 percent thought that sound and visuals would be enough.
Schoettle and Sivak defined the three levels of automation as:
- Completely self-driving: The vehicle will control all safety-critical functions, even allowing the vehicle to travel without a passenger if required.
- Partially self-driving: The driver will be able to hand over control of all safety-critical functions to the vehicle; only occasional control by the driver will be required.
- No self-driving: The driver will always be in complete control of all safety functions, but the driver will be assisted with various advanced technologies.
(Score: 2) by GungnirSniper on Saturday July 25 2015, @09:44PM
Once we have driverless cars, what will the traffic police do all day? Right now they effectively act as tax collectors for the state and the insurance companies. I'm sure the commies, Islamists, Mexicans, or whatever made-up-villain of the day will be used to justify maintaining the same department levels, but where will those police be used? Will it be to enforce more victimless crimes? We've already seen the same lowered need with firefighter ranks only slightly decreasing despite fires being down significantly thanks to modern building techniques.
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(Score: 1) by tftp on Sunday July 26 2015, @02:07AM
Once we have driverless cars, what will the traffic police do all day? Right now they effectively act as tax collectors for the state and the insurance companies.
Traffic units can be redirected to patrol duty in about 10 seconds. Plenty of crimes and suspicious activities are occurring all the time, if you listen to a police scanner (I do.) Often there are no units available to respond. Sometimes a single unit response is done today when two would be a safer option.
It is also notable that in many locations the PD is understaffed. Who wants to roam the streets in hot sun, or in pouring rain, or on a pitch black night, looking for an armed criminal, in exchange for a meager salary and for pleasure to be a target of a civil rights lawsuit? Those departments will be happy to shed the traffic duty; even if it is profitable to the city, a traffic stop is the most dangerous contact an officer can make. If you look into even the recent statistics, most deaths of LEO are occurring during a traffic stop. No officer would want to risk his life just to fill the coffers of the city.