The future of transportation is on the way, and it will arrive on four wheels but without a driver. Self-driving cars, often known as autonomous vehicles (AVs), promise to revolutionize the way we travel.
However, according to a recent survey by the University of British Columbia (UBC), British Columbia (BC) citizens are concerned about the safety of these high-tech vehicles.
Manufacturers have announced that autonomous vehicles improve road safety, being even safer than most cars as they eliminate “human error.”
However, recent data from the University of British Columbia’s Data Laboratory on Active Transportation (REACT) indicates that British Columbians are not entirely convinced, particularly when it comes to pedestrian comfort and safety.
Walking and cycling are being promoted as active forms of transportation along with the development of autonomous vehicles.
A UBC study reveals mixed feelings about the safety of autonomous vehicles
Credit: AP
“There is a feeling of insecurity, which can change the behavior of these active users…they might decide not to walk as often,” said Gurdiljot Singh Gill, the study’s civil engineering doctor. candidate.
He further added: “We also don’t want these vehicles to be introduced in a way that discourages people from engaging in certain behaviors. Our project is about learning how people would interact with these vehicles and how we can inform policies to introduce these vehicles responsibly.” . “.
Credit: Global News
The study aims to fill a gap. While there has been a lot of research on autonomous vehicles, little has examined how people will interact with them. Participants were asked to watch video clips showing people interacting with vehicles.
Half were classified as autonomous, while the other half were labeled human-powered, even though they were all human-powered. The study was constructed this way to uncover bias.
Among 1,133 people surveyed in British Columbia, 41% believed that pedestrians faced decreased safety and comfort during interactions with autonomous vehicles.
According to Gill, one of the most important lessons from the study was how cars should be launched.
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“We asked people questions like, ‘Do you want a person in the driver’s seat of an autonomous vehicle?’ and more than 75% said yes,” he said.
In addition to having someone in the driver’s seat and identifying the vehicles, the team determined that introducing autonomous vehicles would be ideal through shared vehicles, such as shuttles or buses.
“I thought people would be very skeptical or optimistic, but that doesn’t seem to be the case,” Gill said.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn