Communication and Communication Problems Between Autonomous Vehicles and Human Drivers

Färber, Berthold · 2016 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-48847-8_7

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Summary

This paper addresses the critical challenge of integrating autonomous vehicles (AVs) into mixed traffic environments dominated by human drivers. The author argues that while air traffic relies on strict rules and centralized supervision, road traffic is a self-organizing system governed by both formal regulations and informal, culturally specific communication norms. Because AVs currently lack the ability to interpret these informal signals, the paper investigates how this deficit impacts traffic safety, public acceptance, and the resolution of ambiguous "negotiation situations" where strict rule adherence is insufficient. The analysis is theoretical and comparative, drawing on findings from psychology, sociology, and existing traffic studies rather than presenting new experimental data. The author examines various informal communication channels, including schema formation, anticipatory behavior, and non-verbal cues such as eye contact and gestures. The text contrasts cultural driving behaviors across regions, noting that Southern European drivers often use acceleration and honking to assert intent, whereas Central European drivers rely on eye contact and gestures to negotiate right-of-way. The paper also explores the psychological models humans apply to AVs, considering whether drivers will view them as flawless machines or incompetent obstacles. Key findings indicate that AVs’ inability to interpret context-dependent signals, such as a police officer’s dynamic gestures or a pedestrian’s intent to cross, necessitates overly cautious behavior, such as stopping for any potential hazard. This rigidity can disrupt traffic flow and create safety risks, such as confusing other drivers when an AV stops abruptly due to system boundaries. Furthermore, the paper highlights that informal signals are not universal; gestures for agreement or direction vary significantly by culture, making a single global algorithm for AV communication impractical. The author notes that without clear identification, AVs may be misinterpreted by human drivers, leading to dangerous misunderstandings during negotiations. The significance of this work lies in its recommendations for mitigating these communication gaps. The author suggests that AVs should be visibly marked to inform other road users of their automated nature, similar to learner driver plates, to manage expectations and excuse rigid behavior. Technological solutions proposed include explicit driving maneuvers, such as visibly slowing down to signal cooperation, and advanced interfaces like swiveling LEDs or directional speakers to communicate with pedestrians. The paper concludes that until vehicle-to-vehicle communication becomes ubiquitous, AVs must rely on strict rule adherence and potentially centralized traffic control for unresolvable situations, emphasizing the need for public education to foster realistic expectations of AV capabilities and limitations.

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• automation
• driverless ads

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• Theoretical Contribution: conceptual framework