GREENWICH AUTOMATED TRANSPORT ENVIRONMENT (GATEWAY)

What people really think about new mobility solutions

TRL led the GATEway consortium which conducted a range of trials involving the general public and driverless pods, to understand how people respond, engage with and accept automated vehicles. Alongside this, we demonstrated the safe and efficient integration of automated transport systems into complex real-world environments using a combination of sensors, cameras, lasers and software to safely navigate around the Greenwich peninsular. What makes this project unique is its focus on people, providing the UK with valuable sociological insight into new mobility solutions and how to overcome the cultural, societal and technical barriers to adoption of automated vehicles.

What happens when driverless cars share the road with drivers in cars?

As part of the GATEway project, TRL conducted driving simulator trials with the general public to investigate drivers’ behaviour when encountering driverless cars on urban roads, and the effect it could have on traffic flow in urban environments. The trials demonstrated that some drivers adapted their driving behaviour when interacting with autonomous vehicles (AVs), especially at junctions, with many pulling into smaller gaps and pulling out in front of AVs. As AVs become more prevalent, drivers may adapt their driving behaviour. The extent to which they do so depends on the recognisability of AVs and drivers’ perception of them