Driverless cars have the potential to significantly reduce the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers using their mobile phones behind the wheel, according to experts.
In recent months, driverless cars have been gaining popularity around the world, with driverless taxis now plying on the roads of Singapore, and Pittsburgh in the United States.
In Dubai – which expects 25 per cent of vehicle traffic to be automated by 2030 – the strategy is expected to reduce road accidents and associated losses by 12 per cent, saving Dh2 billion each year.
Professor Nick Reed, academy director of the UK-based Transport Research Laboratory – which works with a number of UAE government entities – said automated systems could help avoid collisions in a number of ways.
“Firstly, the sensor systems will not get fatigued, distracted or impaired in the ways human drivers do. Secondly, the sensors can have greater coverage around the vehicle – there are no blind spots,” he noted. “Thirdly, automated systems may be able to assess risk in a more objective way than humans do and take a more cautious approach where justified.
“Furthermore, by having connectivity with infrastructure and other vehicles, automated vehicles can act with foresight of driving situations that is not achievable by human drivers.”
Volker Bischoff, Middle East general manager and vice-president of Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology services, noted that automated driving impacts the entire car. More info
By Bernd Debusmann Jr./Dubai www.khaleejtimes.com
