Atlanta, GA—The sight of a vehicle driving itself, with a passenger in the back and an empty driver's seat, might seem like a scene from a science-fiction movie. But for many, this is becoming a daily reality. The question is, are we ready for this shift? The Carolinian sat down with autonomous vehicle expert Allanté V. Whitmore, PhD, Executive Board Vice President for PAVE (Partners for AV Education), to discuss the future of the technology, its safety, and how it's shaping our world.
Dr. Whitmore, who has a background in the autonomous vehicle industry and has personally ridden in Waymo vehicles, addressed the initial fear that many people feel. "First, they wouldn't be on the road if they weren't safe," she said, speaking from a place of deep knowledge and personal experience. She emphasized that the autonomous vehicles we are now seeing are the culmination of years of research and development, stretching back to the DARPA Grand Challenge in 2007. The DARPA Grand Challenge, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is a prize competition for American autonomous vehicles, the most prominent research organization of the United States Department of Defense. "It's been around for almost 20 years, people have been trying to figure this out," she added.
One of the most significant points of confusion for the public is the distinction between different levels of autonomous driving. Dr. Whitmore explained the six-level system established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), ranging from Level 0 to Level 5.
Level 0 (No Driving Automation): A human driver is in full control, though the car may have basic safety features like blind spot warnings or automatic emergency braking.
Level 1 (Driver Assistance): The vehicle can assist with either steering or acceleration/deceleration, such as with adaptive cruise control.
Level 2 (Partial Driving Automation): The vehicle can control both steering and acceleration/deceleration simultaneously. However, the driver must remain engaged and be ready to take over at any time. Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" is an example of a Level 2 system.
Level 3 (Conditional Driving Automation): The vehicle can handle all driving functions under specific conditions, but the human driver must be ready to intervene when prompted by the system.
Level 4 (High Driving Automation): The vehicle can operate completely autonomously within a specific area or under certain conditions, and no human intervention is required within that "operational design domain" (ODD). Waymo vehicles are a prime example of a Level 4 system.
Level 5 (Full Driving Automation): The vehicle can drive itself anywhere and under any conditions that a human could, and no driver is needed at all. This is the ultimate goal, but as Dr. Whitmore notes, "that's just not where we're at yet."
The key takeaway, Dr. Whitmore stressed, is the distinction between systems that assist the driver (Levels 1-3) and those that are truly automated (Levels 4-5). "Your Tesla is meant for you to pay attention at all times," she stated, correcting the common misconception that the car can be left to its own devices. This is a critical point for safety, as many consumer vehicles with autonomous features still rely on human supervision.
I inquired about safety on the road, specifically in North Carolina. With massive population growth in NC, especially in the Research Triangle Park area, roads are more congested than ever. The addition of autonomous vehicles can seem like a recipe for disaster. However, Dr. Whitmore provided a surprising counterpoint: "There is research that is third-party validated that autonomous vehicles reduce crashes," she said. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that vehicles with automated driving systems (ADS) have a higher crash rate per million miles driven than human-driven vehicles. However, it is also noted that the number of crashes involving Waymo vehicles in California, Arizona, and Texas has resulted in an 88% reduction in property damage claims and a 92% reduction in bodily injury claims when compared to human-driven benchmarks in the same areas. This suggests that while more crashes may occur, they are often less severe and less likely to cause injuries.
Dr. Whitmore believes autonomous vehicles can actually "provide some traffic calming properties," because they are inherently more cautious drivers. She also noted that autonomous vehicles could be a solution for congestion, particularly through shared-use services. This vision is not just theoretical—it's already being implemented. The N.C. Department of Transportation has explored autonomous shuttles, including a pilot project in Cary, NC, to connect people to transit and help get more cars off the road.
This conversation with Dr. Allante Whitmore was both timely and relevant after my experience at InvestFest, where there was much conversation about investment in autonomous vehicle technology. These conversations and my follow-up research have not only encouraged me about the future of this technology but also provided the concrete numbers and context needed for me to feel more confident and informed. Take a look at www.nhtsa.gov, their page about Automated Vehicle Safety truly demystifies a topic that can often feel intimidating, making the road ahead seem less daunting and more exciting. We will continue to follow updates in this emerging industry.
