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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 Runaway1956 on Sunday July 26 2015, @08:49AM
Uhhhhmmmmm - no I haven't excluded myself. I'm part of the driving population. I am part of your statistics. And, if we are going by statistics, I'm in the upper percentiles. And, I've placed my youngest son up there as at least my equal.
Again, I suggest that you go out and OBSERVE traffic. Assuming that you are capable of understanding what you see, you will soon conclude that roughly half of all drivers do not belong on the highway at all. Texting and driving? Hand over your license. Drinking and driving? Hand it over. Holy fuck - the drinking and driving bet gets 20% of all drivers alone: http://healthland.time.com/2010/08/27/one-in-five-americans-admits-to-drinking-and-driving/ [time.com]
No, I'm not one to readily give a second chance to someone convicted of drinking and driving. The stakes are to damned high!
I would LOVE to test people for their situational awareness. Most bikers are far superior to auto drivers - but not all bikers. When was the last time an 18 wheeler buzzed past you, taking you completely by surprise? That big damned truck didn't magically appear behind you, or beside you. Wherever he came from, it took many seconds, maybe even minutes for him to catch up to you - and if he surprised you when he passed, then your head was probably up your arse. Give up the license already! It big trucks routinely surprise you, then you have no business out on the highways.
We have no standards worth talking about. Every dumb shit in high school goes for a license, and gubbermint readily hands them over with the absolute minimal testing for competence.
In some ways, it will be great to see self-driving cars on the highways. I may or may not like their programming, but they will be PREDICTABLE. Self driving cars aren't going to come up an on-ramp, cut straight across six lanes of traffic to get into the fast lane, drive three miles, then cut across those same six lanes of traffic to make a last millisecond exit.
The stupidity on the road is overwhelming. It's just plain stupid LUCK that we don't have higher fatality rates out there. And, only stupid drivers rely on luck.