Skip to main content

An analysis of real-world crashes involving self-driving vehicles

A study by the University of Michigan performed a preliminary analysis of the cumulative on-road safety record of self-driving vehicles for three of the ten companies that are currently approved for such vehicle testing in California (Google, Delphi, and Audi). The analysis compared the safety record of these vehicles with the safety record of all conventional vehicles in the US for 2013 (adjusted for underreporting of crashes that do not involve a fatality).
October 30, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
A study by the University of Michigan performed a preliminary analysis of the cumulative on-road safety record of self-driving vehicles for three of the ten companies that are currently approved for such vehicle testing in California (1691 Google, 7207 Delphi, and 2125 Audi).

The analysis compared the safety record of these vehicles with the safety record of all conventional vehicles in the US for 2013 (adjusted for underreporting of crashes that do not involve a fatality).

Taking into account the fact that the distance accumulated by self-driving vehicles is still relatively low compared with conventional vehicles and that the vehicles were driven only in limited conditions, the study came up with some interesting results.

These, including the facts that self-driving vehicles may have a higher crash rate per million miles travelled than conventional vehicles, and self-driving vehicles were not at fault in any crashes they were involved in, are available in the report abstract on the university’s website. (link %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal http://www.umich.edu/~umtriswt/PDF/UMTRI-2015-34_Abstract_English.pdf Visit Umich false http://www.umich.edu/~umtriswt/PDF/UMTRI-2015-34_Abstract_English.pdf false false%>).

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • London borough partners TfL’s drive for safer roads
    October 31, 2016
    The Royal Borough of Greenwich is partnering with Transport for London (TfL) to run a new consultation on changes to the West Parkside and Pilot Busway on Greenwich Peninsula. Residents are asked to help shape the final plan by submitting their views on the proposals. The proposals aim to create a dual carriageway with dedicated 24/7 bus lanes on either side of the central reservation and improve road safety. It also aims to keep journey times for bus passengers travelling to and from North Greenwich low
  • ITE: position statement on C/AVs following fatal crash in Arizona
    April 4, 2018
    A strong government role remains critical to ensuring that the deployment of connected and automated vehicles (C/AVs) improves the quality of lives for all citizens – according to the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). The Washington DC-based company’s new position statement has been published following the fatal crash involving a self-driving car in Arizona and the rapid development of the technology. ITE highlighted that governments must provide the regulatory oversight to ensure that C/AV test
  • PSC Solar to implement EV chargers in Africa
    November 8, 2018
    PSC Solar, the research and development subsidiary of PSC Industries, will deploy electric vehicle (EV) chargers across four African nations, according to media reports. Chargers will be installed in Nigeria, Ghana, Niger and Benin in preparation for the arrival of EVs. Patrick Owelle, CEO of the PSC Solar, says governments all over the world are starting to ban diesel and petrol engines due to climate change and pollution and that Africa must also take a position on the issue. He says PSC’s charg
  • 12th ITS European Congress: Free webinar on 11 May 2017
    May 9, 2017
    Ertico is running a free webinar on 11 May, providing details of the highlights of the 12th ITS European Congress, which takes place in Strasbourg on 19-22 June. With over 100 sessions, tours, demos and events taking place over just four days, participants will be spoilt for choice on where to spend time. During the webinar, Eric Sampson, senior advisor to the Congress Programme, will run through the programme and point out interesting sessions and events that visitors can look forward to at the Congress. T