Road Safety Analysis of Autonomous Vehicles

For the widespread use of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), a huge number of challenges must be solved by vehicle manufacturers, in contrast they do have significant potential to increase road safety in both passenger and freight transport. In addition to reducing road traffic accidents and traffic jams, AVs also offer a major opportunity to reduce pollutant emissions and CO2 emissions from environmental point of view. In order to implement accident-free traffic, also called Vision Zero, it is essential to examine the safety and reliability of AVs. This article analyzes road traffic accident data and the potential safety benefits of AVs. Furthermore, the paper also sets the safety of the conventional vehicles against AVs and examines the type, location, causes, and dynamics of the accidents. The article also provides an overview over the current development trends and challenges, such as the risk of cyber-attacks, the necessary improvements in sensing technologies, and the not insignificant moral issue of AVs.