It is predicted that 75% of all new cars sold in the UK will be fully autonomous by 2040, rising to 100% in 2050. The report also suggests that the benefit to the UK’s economy could be as much as £51billion per year due to fewer accidents, improved productivity and increased trade.
Philippa Oldham, head of transport at the IMechE and lead author of the report, said: “Currently 95% of all crashes happen due to driver error, so it makes sense for Government, industry and academia to redouble efforts to look at how we phase out human involvement in driving vehicles.”
Other areas that need to be looked at before widespread adoption of driverless vehicles, the report says, are the impact on risk and the provision of insurance. “Much more work needs to be done to clarify regulation and insurance issues, such as where liability lies in case of an accident,” Oldham added.
There is also a role for the car dealerships and vehicle manufacturers to play as they will need to provide training to new purchasers of autonomous vehicles. A greater level of after-sales care, technical updates and upgrades will also be required to ensure the safe introduction of autonomous vehicles.
The ‘Autonomous and Driverless Cars’ report recommends that the Transport Systems Catapult conduct a public consultation, bringing together a working group that includes industry, legislators, regulators and members of the general public, to look at the integration and implementation of new regulatory regimes.
The Department for Transport is also called upon to address the safety issues of mixed road use, looking at how autonomous vehicles can be integrated onto the road network including updates to road signage and markings.
