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How about a simpler solution? Designate certain roads as autonomous only to assure safe operation among other vehicles (for example highways do not allow pedest

How about a simpler solution? Designate certain roads as autonomous only to assure safe operation among other vehicles (for example highways do not allow pedestrians, bicycles, etc; we could require certain roads to be autonomous only as self-driving vehicles become more commonplace), and maps should be updated to identify all possible pedestrian crossings to drive pessimistically?

CM30 11y ago
That's a decent solution for some roads, though it still doesn't solve the issue of how these cars will work in towns and other highly populated areas, where pedestrians and cyclists are everywhere and they can't reasonably be expected to only be on the pavement or only cross by pedestrian crossings. It also doesn't really work outside the US, since a lot of places are quite fine with 'jaywalking'. For example, in the UK, you can cross the road just about anywhere. These autonomous vehicles will have to programmed with this in mind.
- jasonjei 11y ago
  How about a lower speed limit where jaywalking is permitted or where the risk of pedestrians running into the road is high? For example, you could almost drive at 65mph with certainty on a freeway, but you might have to drive at 25mph to give you enough time to react to pedestrians?
- erdojo 11y ago
  Or, like with other automated equipment, people learn to not do stupid behavior that will get them run over. For example, we all just know not to step in front of a train. We have NO EXPECTATION it can stop. Do accidents happen? Yes, but only at the fault of the pedestrian (intentional or not). If we all know that every car won't stop for us in between crosswalks, we may still jaywalk but we'll be danmed sure a self-driving car isn't coming. Right now a lot of people jaywalk and are overconfident if a car is coming it'll stop.
  - tedunangst 11y ago
    Legislation shifting blame exclusively to the pedestrian outside the cross walk seems unlikely to pass.

CM30 11y ago

That's a decent solution for some roads, though it still doesn't solve the issue of how these cars will work in towns and other highly populated areas, where pedestrians and cyclists are everywhere and they can't reasonably be expected to only be on the pavement or only cross by pedestrian crossings. It also doesn't really work outside the US, since a lot of places are quite fine with 'jaywalking'. For example, in the UK, you can cross the road just about anywhere. These autonomous vehicles will have to programmed with this in mind.

jasonjei 11y ago
How about a lower speed limit where jaywalking is permitted or where the risk of pedestrians running into the road is high? For example, you could almost drive at 65mph with certainty on a freeway, but you might have to drive at 25mph to give you enough time to react to pedestrians?
erdojo 11y ago
Or, like with other automated equipment, people learn to not do stupid behavior that will get them run over. For example, we all just know not to step in front of a train. We have NO EXPECTATION it can stop. Do accidents happen? Yes, but only at the fault of the pedestrian (intentional or not). If we all know that every car won't stop for us in between crosswalks, we may still jaywalk but we'll be danmed sure a self-driving car isn't coming. Right now a lot of people jaywalk and are overconfident if a car is coming it'll stop.
- tedunangst 11y ago
  Legislation shifting blame exclusively to the pedestrian outside the cross walk seems unlikely to pass.