A matched case-control analysis of autonomous vs human-driven vehicle accidents

Nat Commun. 2024 Jun 18;15(1):4931. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-48526-4.

Abstract

Despite the recent advancements that Autonomous Vehicles have shown in their potential to improve safety and operation, considering differences between Autonomous Vehicles and Human-Driven Vehicles in accidents remain unidentified due to the scarcity of real-world Autonomous Vehicles accident data. We investigated the difference in accident occurrence between Autonomous Vehicles' levels and Human-Driven Vehicles by utilizing 2100 Advanced Driving Systems and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and 35,113 Human-Driven Vehicles accident data. A matched case-control design was conducted to investigate the differential characteristics involving Autonomous' versus Human-Driven Vehicles' accidents. The analysis suggests that accidents of vehicles equipped with Advanced Driving Systems generally have a lower chance of occurring than Human-Driven Vehicles in most of the similar accident scenarios. However, accidents involving Advanced Driving Systems occur more frequently than Human-Driven Vehicle accidents under dawn/dusk or turning conditions, which is 5.25 and 1.98 times higher, respectively. Our research reveals the accident risk disparities between Autonomous Vehicles and Human-Driven Vehicles, informing future development in Autonomous technology and safety enhancements.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic* / statistics & numerical data
  • Automation
  • Automobile Driving* / statistics & numerical data
  • Automobiles / statistics & numerical data
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Humans
  • Safety