The Road to Full Vehicle Autonomy: Challenges and Opportunities

Statistics show that technology has had a positive effect on driver safety and that drivers are benefiting from automated safety features. In 1972, there were 25 driving fatalities per 100,000 accidents; by 2017, that figure had been reduced to 11.4 per 100,000. Real-time driver alerts have reduced collisions by 60 percent. Fleet managers are also reaping the benefits of technology-enhanced driver safety, with some fleets having achieved an overall loss reduction of 50 percent, according to Jennifer Haroon, Chief Operations Officer with Nauto, a California-based transportation technology company that develops automotive hardware and artificial intelligence-based data platforms.

Haroon gave a presentation on autonomous vehicle technology and its potential impact on fleet management and commercial vehicle use at NAFA's 2019 Institute & Expo. Haroon noted that widespread testing of autonomous vehicles is underway, and fleets have already added some of this technology. However, she shared that driver acceptance remains low, changes in the insurance system represent a complication, and there is a need for change at the legislative level.

Further discussion is needed on points such as how to transition from personal to product liability coverage and how to manage interactions between autonomous commercial vehicles, human drivers and pedestrians. There’s also the challenge of coordinating between technology companies, OEMs, and insurers, not to mention a persistent mistrust of self-driving vehicles. According to a 2019 AAA survey, 70 percent of participants said they were too nervous to get into a self-driving car.

Potential and Preconception - However, the debate is set against a backdrop of tremendous growth potential. Haroon indicated that automatic technology has made driving safer over the past 50 years. Autonomous driving, the next step in the evolution of our vehicles, would alleviate stop-and-go driving, allow for greater general mobility and help the elderly, injured and disabled avoid social isolation. Autonomous driving would also eliminate distracted driving, which has been correlated with traffic crashes 2.5 percent more often than aggressive driving, she said.

Despite the evident benefits, Haroon said a strong undercurrent of suspicion and mistrust remains in the form of persistent fears that “AI will displace people.” Despite driver reservations and the logistical challenges of autonomous driving, Haroon said an even newer, more efficient wave of self-driving vehicles is on the way, which would mean greater fuel and driver efficiency for fleets and eliminate the need to monitor drivers.

Haroon emphasized that fleets will be much closer to true vehicle autonomy once there is a clearer understanding of what’s required from a legal, insurance and infrastructure standpoint.