Uber ‘disabled braking system’ in fatal crash

Uber had disabled the emergency braking function of the Volvo XC90 which killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona in March. A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says the car was “operating with a self-driving system in computer control mode” when it struck 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg, who was pushing a bicycle across the road. According to the NTSB report, Uber said “emergency braking manoeuvres are not enabled while the vehicle is under computer control, to reduce the
May 30, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

8336 Uber had disabled the emergency braking function of the Volvo XC90 which killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona in March. A %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external preliminary report NTSB report link false https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/HWY18MH010-prelim.pdf false false%> from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says the car was “operating with a self-driving system in computer control mode” when it struck 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg, who was pushing a bicycle across the road.

According to the NTSB report, Uber said “emergency braking manoeuvres are not enabled while the vehicle is under computer control, to reduce the potential for erratic vehicle behaviour”. This means that the driver is relied upon to take appropriate action on the road – however, the system “is not designed to alert the operator”.

Investigators found that the car’s self-driving system registered the pedestrian about six seconds before impact, when the vehicle was travelling at 43mph. The system’s software classified the pedestrian “as an unknown object, as a vehicle, and then as a bicycle with varying expectations of future travel path”. At 1.3 seconds before impact, “the self-driving system determined that an emergency braking manoeuvre was needed to mitigate a collision”.

The NTSB is continuing its investigation to determine the probable cause of the accident, and plans to make safety recommendations to prevent similar incidents. The agency said it was working with Uber, Volvo Cars and the Arizona Department of Transportation “to compile a complete and accurate account of the crash”.

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Uber to enter Seattle’s bike-share space
    June 22, 2018
    Uber intends to launch its newly-acquired Jump electric bikes in Seattle, US, in a move which could increase competition among rival firms. The ride-hailing company will decide on whether to apply for a permit once regulations have been mapped out by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDoT). SDoT is finalising a permit programme for bike-share operators and plans to present a proposal to the city council next month. A report by the Seattle Times says three bike-share companies operate in the city
    Read More
  • Netherlands bans electric carts after four children killed
    October 8, 2018
    The Dutch government has banned electric carts following a road-rail collision which killed four children in the southern town of Oss. The Stint cart carrying the children - aged four to eight - was hit by a train at a level crossing, the BBC says. A witness heard the 32-year-old female driver from a daycare centre shout that her brakes had failed. The driver and a fifth child were seriously injured in the crash. Stints can carry up to 10 children who are strapped in with a s eatbelt. The driver is
    Read More
  • UK Cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians need roads with them in mind
    January 12, 2018
    Cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians would prefer improvements on Highways England's (HE's) road network to be open to all types of user – but safely, with areas of greater risk identified and appropriate interventions made, according to a new report from Transport Focus (TF). The independent watchdog engaged with these road users across the UK who stressed the importance of the network in affecting their everyday lives. Key findings showed that safety is of crucial importance to all three groups when
    Read More
  • Gig economy drivers and riders at increased risk of collisions, warns UCL
    September 3, 2018
    Self-employed courier or taxi drivers who get their work through apps could be more likely to be involved in a collision, says a new study. The University College London (UCL) research found 63% of ‘gig’ economy respondents – who are not paid a salary - are not provided with safety training about managing risks on the road. The emerging issues for management of occupational road risk in a changing economy: A survey of gig economy drivers, riders and their managers also revealed 65% of drivers did not
    Read More

Highlighted Content