Driverless cars will cut delays and reduce journey times, according to computer modelling by the government’s Department for Transport (DfT).
In a report commissioned by the DfT exploring how autonomous and connected cars will impact traffic in urban areas and on major roads such as motorways, the modelling found that in situations where self-driving cars outnumbered those with a human behind the wheel, traffic flow improved significantly.
Self-driving cars also beat humans when it comes to maintaining constant speeds and avoiding erratic breaking, all of which helps keep traffic flowing smoothly.
However, in modeled situations where human driven vehicles outnumbered autonomous cars, the impact of self-driving systems on traffic flow was negligible. But on urban roads during peak traffic periods even low levels of autonomous vehicles can deliver a 12 percent reduction in delays and a 21 percent increase in reliable journey times.
This indicated that for the true impact of autonomous vehicles to be felt, there needs to be a strong adoption of them, which raises all manner of questions over whether they should occupy the same roads as normal drivers, issues of liability if a crash occurs, and the impact it will have on jobs such as taxi driving, and the car industry where some brands rely upon offering a ‘driving experience’ for their customers.
But that does not appear to have curtailed the government’s enthusiasm for the development and use of driverless cars on British roads.
“This exciting and extensive study shows that driverless cars could vastly improve the flow of traffic in our towns and cities, offering huge benefits to motorists including reduced delays and more reliable journey times,” said Transport minister Johns Hayes.
“Driverless cars are just one example of cutting edge technology which could transform the way in which we travel in the future, particularly in providing new opportunities for those with reduced mobility. This study reinforces our belief that these technologies offer major benefits and this government will support their research.”
And with more technology companies providing the hardware and software to support the development of autonomous vehicles, it is likely only a matter of time before they become a regular sight on UK roads.
What do you know about tech in transport? Take our quiz!
Tesla retreats from pioneering gigacasting manufacturing process, amid cost cutting and challenges at EV giant
No skynet please. After the US, UK and France pledge human only control of nuclear…
Microsoft's AI investments continue in south east Asia, after investments in Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, as…
New chapter for LastPass as it becomes an independent company to focus on cybersecurity, after…
US FCC seeks to ban Chinese telecom firms at centre of national security concerns from…
Two updates to Anthropic's AI chatbot Claude sees arrival of a new business-focused plan, as…
View Comments
The majority of the questions will most likely lead to other questions. Let us assume autonomous vehicles are not to "occupy the same roads as normal drivers". This would require separate road space. How would this be financed ? Also, where is this extra road space to be provided ? Is it to be available to those lucky enough to live in certain areas of a country, perhaps ? As I understand they would say in the UK, "a post code lottery". The second question is something that should already have been thought about with appropriate laws in place. How many countries require the driver of the vehicle to be insured and qualified to drive the type of vehicle ? If autonomous vehicles are being tested on public roads who is the driver and are they insured ? What is the current, legal situation regarding autonomous vehicles ?