Since the first fatal crash in the United States in 2016 that involved a vehicle operating in a partial automation mode at the time of the collision, the NTSB has investigated numerous crashes of vehicles equipped with various automation capabilities. This page serves as a collection of our investigations, lessons learned from the investigative outcomes, and a resource for various material characterizing our position regarding vehicle automation and the collision avoidance technologies that are included with these systems.
Vehicle Automation Today: Basics
The topic of automated vehicles (AVs) has dominated conversations about ground transportation in recent years. Commonly, the term self-driving is used to describe vehicles coming soon to dealerships near you, or even to market some vehicles traveling on our roadways today. In reality, there are no self-driving vehicles on our roadways today available for consumer purchase.
Partial Automation: Vehicles Available for Consumers Today
Most passenger vehicles available for purchase today are equipped with collision avoidance systems, such as automatic emergency braking.[1] Some vehicles have additional capabilities that assist drivers by adapting speed or maintaining lane position; two capabilities, that when combined are called partial vehicle automation or Level 2 of driving automation, according to the
SAE International taxonomy. These and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are designed to help drivers perform driving tasks and detect and avoid hazards. Because these systems have considerable limitations, they are designed with assuming continuous driver engagement. There are no vehicles available for purchase today that allow drivers to disengage from the driving task.
Williston, FL Board Meeting Animation: Collision Between a Car Operating with Automated Vehicle Control Systems and a Tractor- Semiatrailer Truck
Advanced Automation: Testing and Deployment
Dozens of technology-based companies and traditional vehicle manufacturers are testing automated driving systems (ADS), which are designed with an intent of driverless operation. In addition to test tracks and virtual environments, these developmental vehicles also occurs on public roads. This testing is usually conducted with a safety driver who is tasked with taking control of the vehicle in critical situations; some companies also transport passengers or freight in these vehicles. Recently, some companies have started testing and even deploying without a safety driver in the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)—the regulatory agency responsible for ensuring vehicle safety—has not established minimum performance measures and testing protocols for ADS, individual ADS developers create their own safety protocols for testing and deployment. These safety protocols are not standardized,
NHTSA requires ADS developers to report to the agency all crashes and incidents.
Tempe AZ Board Meeting Excerpts Collision Between Vehicle Controlled by Developmental Automated Driving System and Pedestrian
[1] NHTSA finalized a rule requiring automatic emergency braking on passenger cars and light trucks on April 29, 2024.
NHTSA Finalizes Rule on Automatic Emergency Braking | NHTSA
