As Driverless Cars Inch Closer to Reality, Researchers Mull Impact

Just the Facts:

• Studies are under way to explore new 'smart' automotive technologies and their effects on drivers.
• The concerns are that drivers may lose focus and become overly dependent on advanced systems.
• The Transportation Research Board has scheduled a workshop next month on the future of automated cars and driving.

IRVINE, California — As automobile development moves closer and closer to automated or semi-automated vehicles, manufacturers and the Transportation Research Board are exploring the ramifications of these 'intelligent' cars and the effects on the public.

A TRB workshop on the future of automated cars and driving is scheduled for July 24-26 at the Beckman Center in Irvine. The full title of the event is 'Future of Road Vehicle Automation and PreConference Workshop on Early Automation Deployment Opportunities in Managed Lane Operations.'

Meanwhile, there is general acknowledgement in the industry that, while new technologies may enhance safety and take over some of the tasks drivers now have to perform manually, there will be problems inherent in the use of this new technology.

Innovations already available on some cars, such Ford's automated parallel-parking function, are not so much at issue as are systems that monitor traffic situations and either provide warning prompts or make decisions about the operation of the vehicle. In addition to the fail-safe nature of such systems, there is the human element to consider.

Internet giant Google is vigorously pursuing the concept of fully automated vehicles, winning a U.S. patent late last year for 'Transitioning a mixed-mode vehicle to autonomous mode.' Prompted in part by a Google lobbying effort, Nevada passed legislation in July 2011 regulating 'driverless' cars.

Advanced vehicle automation is anticipated to make its way to the marketplace within the decade, but an equivalent of aviation's autopilot, to all but completely take over the duties of operating the vehicle, is not in the foreseeable future.

That doesn't mean that drivers won't expect more of the technology than it is capable of delivering.

General Motors is conducting studies on how driver behavior will be influenced by emerging technologies. The upshot of their research is summed up by GM Research Program manager Jeremy Salinger, who said, 'The focus was on how people might change their behaviors from what they normally do when they drive cars.'

GM researchers have observed how when drivers multitask, they make relatively frequent but brief glances away from their primary function of driving. The dangers of such distraction will not be erased by the driver aids coming in the next 10 years, Salinger said.

Referring to the operation of a 'smart' vehicle, he said, 'This is not a time that you can start reading a book.'