Smart vehicles can without doubt contribute significantly to the improvement of traffic safety, transport efficiency and quality of life. However, it appears that the actual effects do not always match these expectations, and sometimes even show a negative effect. Possible reasons could be found in risk compensation, a long term introduction of new systems, a lack of understanding in the accident circumstances or driver behaviour and appropriate evaluation methods. Present existing concept vehicles support the fact that autonomous control technology is at an advcanced level, and ultimately, will bring significant innovations to the vehicle within the next decades. The main technological and societal issues in this respect are identified. (A)
Abstract