Dedicated lanes for driverless vehicles on NSW roads would enable the state to be better prepared for the introduction of fully automated cars, a report has found, which also warns the transport network is not ready to cope with the technology.
The University of NSW Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation has found transport networks unprepared for driverless cars would disrupt the experiences of all users, suggesting dedicated autonomous vehicle lanes could improve the overall safety and traffic flow of roads.
A prototype of a solar-powered, driverless electric vehicle.
“There are very little provisions … to help facilitate these kinds of vehicles, and the reason behind that I’d say is because no one really knows how things are going to change when these vehicles with automation actually hit the market,” lead author of the report Shantanu Chakraborty said.
“One of them could be dedicated lanes, where the vehicles can actually take these opportunities to get the best out of the system. So, if you do not facilitate or embrace this new technology, then we’ll never really move forward with these vehicles with automation.”
Head of Technology & Innovation at Transport for NSW Sue Wiblin said the agency will lay the foundation for driverless vehicles on state roads. She said the department has partnered with road operators to “ensure our motorways function with new life-saving automated technologies”.
When asked about introducing driverless car lanes on metropolitan roads and freeways, Ms Wiblin said research will “help inform how we may need to make changes in maintaining and improving our current road infrastructure, as well as how we design, build and manage smart infrastructure” for the future.
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward added “this government is always open to considering innovative options and new technology” in its planning.
Dr Chakraborty estimates it may still be a decade until fully autonomous vehicles can be safely introduced for public use, saying a “step-by-step” transition will be crucial to removing psychological barriers and gaining acceptance from road users.
Under Dr Chakraborty’s estimation, fully driverless cars would be rolled out five years after the completion of the Western Harbour Tunnel project.
Source: SMH
