Traffic lights are an essential piece of infrastructure on UK roads. They keep pedestrians safe, reduce the likelihood of accidents and control the flow of traffic. They’re a common sight in cities and on larger roads. But will that always be the case?
With the rise in driverless technology in cars, it’s natural that UK roads will change too. In a UK first, a recent trial of driverless tech utilised roadside infrastructure alongside the car’s own technology. Let’s take a look at how these developments are likely to impact traffic lights and other familiar aspects of roadside infrastructure.
Landmark driverless car trial in the UK
Recent discussions about the future of the UK’s roadside infrastructure have been raised in the wake of a landmark driverless car trial. This was conducted in South-East London as part of the ServCity project.
Funded by both government and industry, ServCity is a UK research project into “autonomous mobility services.” The goal of the project is to “harness the latest autonomous vehicle technologies and successfully incorporate them into a complex urban environment.” Put simply, ServCity aims to make use of driverless technology within complicated city road networks.
As part of the two-year trial, two self-driving Nissan Leaf vehicles were required to drive laps around a 2.7 mile route on London’s busy roads – building up to 1,600 miles of testing altogether. 270 cameras were put in place along the route. These enabled the car to predict potential hazards in advance. For example, this would allow the vehicle to ‘spot’ a bus stopped in a lane ahead, giving the car time to switch lanes. The car utilised a connection with Smart Mobility Living Lab for communication with sensors and roadside infrastructure.
Smart Mobility Living Lab engineer Thomas Tompkin argued that the trial signalled a dramatic shift in the layout of future roads.
"If we think about maybe 20 or 30 years’ time, can you start to then think about the infrastructure outside? Can you start to remove some of that infrastructure, such as traffic signals?”
“Obviously, there's a lot of work to be done before that ever takes place. But that's where you can start to see a seismic shift in the way our roads are laid out."
The UK government has pledged to establish legislation to allow self-driving vehicles to be used on UK roads. It’s clear that the government intends to support the development of driverless vehicles, as they have placed a £7m investment into the ServCity project. Meanwhile, the project also features six key partners:
- Nissan
- The Connected Places Catapult
- TRL
- Hitachi Europe
- The University of Nottingham
- SBD Automotive
How will driverless cars change UK roads?
As driverless cars arrive on UK roads, it’s natural that the road infrastructure itself will need to change. Here are some of the features to expect on future roads…
Reduced traffic
Whilst there may be an initial uptick in traffic as driverless cars are integrated amongst traditional vehicles, it seems likely that traffic jams will eventually be a thing of the past. Once autonomous vehicles become the norm, these self-driving smart cars will be able to “communicate” with roadside infrastructure and other vehicles. Using real-time traffic data will enable them to avoid congestion issues and collisions, making everyday driving much smoother.
Road sensors
Self-driving cars use road sensors to predict potential hazards on the road ahead. That’s why future road planning should ensure there are enough sensors on lanes and curbs, as well as on pavements, to prevent collisions.
AV-friendly lane markings
Autonomous vehicles can often struggle to pick up on poorly demarcated road markings. As self-driving cars become more commonplace, lane markings will need to become machine-readable and radar reflective. Road signs will also need to be machine-readable.
Narrower roads
As self-driving cars are predicted to be more efficient, future roads could potentially be narrower. This would allow for more green spaces in cities and make it easier for pedestrians to cross busy roads.
Could driverless vehicles raise the risk of accidents?
But not all the recent news about driverless vehicles has been so positive. In a recent announcement, Tesla revealed it is recalling 362,000 self-driving cars. This follows an investigation by the US industry watchdog, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), into Tesla’s self-driving software. The NHTSA raised concerns that the autopilot system could “exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner.”
The safety of driverless vehicles is a complex topic, with many issues arising from their marketing. Though many consumers are unaware of it, the NHTSA has recognised six distinct levels of autonomy within driver-assisted technology. Meanwhile, as there is little to no legislation governing the issue, manufacturers have free reign in their marketing campaigns. Many autonomous cars are marketed as “driverless”, a label which is arguably misleading for consumers – and outright dangerous at worst.
The vast majority of accidents that involved autonomous vehicles were caused by lack of concentration from the driver. This kind of human error is prevalent in all forms of driving, but self-driving vehicles potentially exacerbate this issue. They require the driver to remain alert, yet are advertised as fully autonomous.
“Driverless” cars currently experience a higher rate of accidents in comparison to those driven by humans. However, the injuries sustained in these accidents tend to be less severe.
It’s clear that autonomous vehicles are the future of driving. For traffic lights to become fully obsolete, though, there are a few more safety precautions that need to be put in place. There’s even the potential for self-driving vehicles to reduce accidents on the roads over time.
Stay up to date with autonomous cars
The technology behind driverless vehicles is becoming increasingly advanced. If you’re fascinated by all things autonomous, then check out our blog for the latest news and updates from the world of self-driving cars. Or, if you’re on the lookout for your next car, why not take a look at our electric car leasing deals?
For more information about self-driving cars, you can always contact our helpful team for advice and guidance.
