Autonomous vehicles in the market have received mixed reactions from automotive specialists and consumers. Some experts in this industry think that self-driving vehicles will be affordable and reliable in the coming years. They expect that these cars will replace many human drivers to ensure several benefits and a cost-saving solution. However, these optimistic predictions depend on the use of innovative technologies. So, you must not overlook the problems with autonomous vehicles. Let us now talk about the benefits and issues of self-driving cars.
What are the benefits of running driverless cars?
Driverless vehicles are beneficial to users in several ways.
- Higher productivity and reduced stress of drivers. During a journey, motorists can feel relaxed.
- In case of commercial vehicles, autonomous models will minimize the cost.
- Lower the emission rate and boost fuel efficiency
- Would facilitate ridesharing and carsharing
- Total travel charges and car ownership costs will be low.
- Reduce the risk of parking costs.
More about the advantages of self-driving cars-
- 360° vision- Designed with high-precision technology, driverless cars can view the surroundings in a range of 360°. On the contrary, the viewing angle of humans is just 180° horizontally.
- Better traffic efficiency- Lower speed means higher traffic efficiency.
- Reduced collision- The interconnected vehicles with a 360° vision are involved in constant interactions. That is why there will be a reduction in the number of crashes. Though it does not guarantee zero collision, the risk can be reduced.
- Access to the users with reduced mobility or physical disability- As autonomous cars have no human interactions, people with hearing and visual disabilities will be inclusive.
- Sustainable automobiles- Driverless cars will use clean energy for their performance. Thus, there will be no carbon emissions to the environment.
Driverless car technology and potential impacts
Many automakers are trying to deal with innovative AV technology. They predict that there will be an implementation of the technology. Moreover, they have noticed synergies between EVs and autonomous car technology. Thus, it is anticipated that there will be a faster deployment of autonomous cars. Governments in many countries have thought of replacing fossil fuel-driven vehicles. Still, multiple issues are yet unsolved. So, some automotive experts think that it will take more time to develop safe and affordable autonomous cars.
Many driverless cars are available with Level 3 autonomy. So, there must be a human driver to manage traffic conditions. Only a few autonomous cars have Level 4 autonomy. These vehicles can autonomously make a trip based on the pre-planned routes.
Development of urban infrastructure
There will be no ownership if the driverless can be called with a command. If the ridesharing companies use this car, vehicle ownership has lost its value. Only a few cars will meet consumers’ needs. There will be no need to have a parking zone. The available spaces can be used for different purposes.
Several AVs will be used as rideshares and personal cars. But, it will lead to an effect on road traffic, urban sprawl, and public transit. It will also reduce the number of public transaction systems. Mass transit for autonomous vehicles will be low. Long commutes will no longer be a hassle. But, there is a risk of environmental impact due to these trends.
Most experts claim that if only autonomous vehicles run through the highway, there will be no traffic signals. It leads to a reduced space for pedestrians and cyclists. The increased use of driverless vehicles means higher costs for developing and maintaining the roadway infrastructure. Moreover, the road surfaces should be free of debris. If there is unevenness or debris, AV sensors will misread them. A minor error in the sensor will pose risk to passengers and pedestrians.
Other demerits of self-driving cars
- Data protection problems- The fully connected vehicles with autonomous versions are linked with the overall environment. It can lead to cyber issues, including data protection. Even if the connected technology is managed properly, it may cause a compromise over road networks.
- Higher implementation costs- Self-driving car infrastructure involves using 5G networks, which are costly. Governments will take significant time to develop the desired infrastructure for the best performance of driverless cars.
- Higher vehicle costs- Though the automotive industry has made significant progress in designing automotive cars, the manufacturing cost is still high.
The environmental benefits and drawbacks of driverless vehicles
Autonomous vehicles will result in efficient routing and driving. Equipped with AI and sensors, they are highly energy-efficient and use platooning techniques. It means the distance between vehicles is significantly reduced. Every vehicle will benefit from other car’s slipstreams. It will lead to higher efficiency and reduced air resistance.
Although these are some significant environmental benefits, deploying single-occupancy autonomous vehicles will cause adverse environmental effects. If people feel relaxed inside the vehicles, they will travel more. So, it will result in higher Vehicles Miles Traveled because of the higher use of driverless cars.
Some tests have revealed that the computing power needed by sensors will consume a significant amount of electric car’s battery storage. It will adversely affect the car’s energy efficiency and cause an increased electricity usage.
Authorities have to determine if autonomous vehicles will run at an optimal speed. Some roads have higher speed limits, and it will cause higher energy consumption. Many automobile manufacturers design less energy-efficient, larger cars to accommodate compact mobile offices.
Larger vehicles with bigger automotive batteries will increase carbon emissions as the manufacturing byproduct. During the full lifecycle of vehicles (from designing to disposal), there is considerable use of private electric autonomous cars. This trend can increase the carbon emission rate to a significant level.
Conclusion
Cutting-edge technology has led to the development of advanced autonomous vehicles. Automotive makers are trying to bring perfection to the design. But, still some limitations are causing concerns for automotive designers and consumers. As you have learned about the benefits and issues with self-driving cars, it will give you an idea about the progress of these vehicles.