Dubai driverless car strategy is aimed at automating 25% of road traffic by the year 2030. Amongst the many potential benefits, this would reduce the number of road accidents caused by distracted drivers using mobile phones while driving.
Road accidents account for Dh2 billion per year in Dubai, certainly not an insignificant amount. The increasing global popularity of driverless vehicles is partially a solution to the losses (both tangible and intangible), which result from human errors.
Driverless vehicles operate with the help of sensors, which are not going to get tired or distracted the way people do. Moreover, the sensors do not have the same limitations as human vision e.g. blind spots. Automated systems also have the advantage of speedy and more accurate risk assessment in tricky traffic situations.
The connectivity of automated systems is an added bonus in itself, as it contributes to constant sharing of information at the back-end. This means driverless cars can actually “predict” traffic situations.
Navigation systems will play a key role in Dubai driverless car strategy. For successful implementation, the navigation systems of the car will have to be more accurate than current systems and will need continual updates in real time.
It is important to note that automated systems are not completely “collision proof”. Accidents are still probable, especially when switching between different modes of automated driving. Governments and other regulatory bodies would need to be prepared for such eventualities.