The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and research firm Thatcham Research are calling on the UK government to delay allowing Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) on UK roads. According to the parties, the technology endangers the lives of road users.
The Brite Department for Transport announced in August that it would allow the use of ALKS technology on UK roads from 2021. Vehicles with this technology can drive fully autonomous over longer distances. In doing so, the vehicles are allowed to maintain a speed of up to 70 miles per hour (about 112 km per hour).
Rachal Maclean, Secretary of State for Transport, in making the announcement, highlighted the added value that automated technology can bring to road safety. "Automated technology can make driving safer, smoother and easier for motorists. The UK should be the first country to enjoy these benefits and attract manufacturers to develop and test new technologies," Maclean said.
'Not safe enough'
As part of its plans, the minister asked stakeholders to share their views on the use of ALKS technology on public roads. In their response, ABI Research and Thatcham Research point out dangers of using the technology. "Both the functionality of ALKS technology and the regulations under which it operates mean that it cannot replicate what a competent and engaged human driver can do, and in the opinion of Thatcham Research and the ABI are not safe enough to be classified as 'automated driving'," the parties write.
Thatcham Research expressing concerns about the safety of the plan. "The government's plan threatens road safety," said Matthew Avery, research director at Thatcham Research. Among other things, Avery fears that people will rely too much on ALKS technology and therefore lose focus on the road. "However, that is not the reality. The limitations of the technology mean it should be classified as a driving aid, as the driver needs to remain engaged and ready to intervene."
Not creating unrealistic expectations
Director of General Insurance Policy at ABI James Dalton adding, "The insurance industry is 100% committed to supporting the development of automated vehicles, which have the potential to dramatically increase road safety and can revolutionise our transport systems. Vehicles equipped with an automated lane-keeping system are a good step towards the development of automated vehicles."
"However, drivers should not be given unrealistic expectations about the capabilities of the system. Thatcham Research identifies some worrying scenarios in which ALKS cannot operate safely without driver intervention. We therefore strongly believe that the timing for the introduction of ALKS should be adjusted to avoid putting lives at risk."
Risks
The organisations highlight several risks:
- Objects on the road: There were 11 serious accidents on UK roads due to objects on the road in 2019. ALKS technology may not always be able to detect this hazard in time, which can lead to accidents. However, an alert driver can intervene in time, avoid the object and prevent an accident.
- Pedestrians on the road: 23% of accidents on UK roads involving serious injuries or fatalities involved pedestrians in 2019. ALKS technology is programmed to keep its lane. Thatcham Research and ABI are concerned that vehicles with the technology will therefore not swerve for pedestrians on the road, whereas an alert driver would.
- Road closures: There were 70 accidents on UK roads in 2019 in which vehicles were travelling on a closed lane. These lanes are marked with a red cross on matrix signs. ALKS technology may not always be able to notice these road closures and therefore drive on a closed lane. In addition, Thatcham Research and ABI point out that if a vehicle has to stay in its lane, the vehicle can only come to a stop under a red cross. After all, changing lanes is not allowed.
Much development still needed
"Current technology requires an alert driver who is engaged and can take control of the vehicle if necessary. ALKS technology needs a major step in its development to deal with these real-life scenarios," Avery said.
The full statement from Thatcham Research and ABI can be found here.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
