Unsettled Topics Concerning the Field Testing of Automated Driving Systems


Book Description

Automated driving systems (ADS) have the potential to revolutionize transportation. Through the automation of driver functions in the application of advanced technology within the vehicle, significant improvements can be made to safety, efficiency, user experience, and the preservation of the environment. According to the US Department of Transportation [1], there are more than 1,400 cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles being tested by more than 80 companies across the USA. Implementation of ADS technology is well advanced, with many sites across the USA incorporating automated vehicles (AVs) into wider programs to apply advanced technology to transportation. Discussions with the public sector’s implementing agencies suggest that one of the barriers to faster progress lies in the lack of consistent and standardized field-testing protocols. This report looks at the state of the art of field testing for ADS and identifies areas for improved consistency and standardization. It will define the problem to be addressed by AVs and the challenges associated with the introduction of such vehicles and open-road situations. In particular, the report will look at the possibilities for big data and analytics to enable the sharing of lessons learned and convergence on standard field-testing approaches. NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the issues they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2019009




Unsettled Topics Concerning Automated Driving Systems and the Development Ecosystem


Book Description

With over 100 years of operation, the current automobile industry has settled into an equilibrium with the development of methodologies, regulations, and processes for improving safety. In addition, a nearly $2-trillion market operates in the automotive ecosystem with connections into fields ranging from insurance to advertising. Enabling this ecosystem is a well-honed, tiered supply chain and an established development environment. Autonomous vehicle (AV) technology is a leap forward for the existing automotive industry; now the automobile is expected to manage perception and decision-making tasks. The safety technologies associated with these tasks were presented in an earlier SAE EDGE™ Research Report, “Unsettled Technology Areas in Autonomous Vehicle Test and Validation.” In a later SAE EDGE™ Research Report, “Unsettled Topics Concerning Automated Driving Systems and the Transportation Ecosystem,” senior executives from the automotive ecosystem explored the impact of AV technology as they faced the prospect of this disruptive technology entering their marketplace. Interestingly, stable use-models and market penetration were all gated primarily by the demonstration of AV safety. Building on these previous verification and validation (V&V)-related reports, “Unsettled Topics Concerning Automated Driving Systems and the Development Ecosystem” explores the open issues in the shift of the development and supplier environment toward a new AV-enabled future. NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the challenges they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2020004




Unsettled Issues Regarding Policy Aspects of Automated Driving Systems


Book Description

Automated driving systems (ADS) represent an area of considerable investment and activity within the transportation sphere. The potential impact of ADS on safety, efficiency, and user experience are extremely significant. To get the most from the technology, it is important to ensure that policies are developed to support the balance between achieving public sector objectives and supporting private sector innovation. This SAE EDGE™ Research Report explores the policy aspects related to ADS technology, explains the key stakeholders, identifies unsettled issues, and proposes a number of steps to move forward and improve the current situation. It is hoped that the report will provide a valuable resource to those involved in the definition of ADS policy from both public and private perspectives. It is also intended to serve as a resource for those involved in ADS planning and development and public sector staff involved in other aspects beyond ADS policy. NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the challenges they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2020016




Unsettled Topics Concerning Automated Driving Systems and the Transportation Ecosystem


Book Description

Over the last 100 years, the automobile has become integrated in a fundamental way into the broader economy. A broad and deep ecosystem has emerged, and critical components of this ecosystem include insurance, after-market services, automobile retail sales, automobile lending, energy suppliers (e.g., gas stations), medical services, advertising, lawyers, banking, public planners, and law enforcement. These components - which together represent almost $2 trillion of the U.S. economy - are in equilibrium based on the current capabilities of automotive technology. However, the advent of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and technologies like electrification have the potential to significantly disrupt the automotive ecosystem. The critical cog governing the rate and pace of this shift is the management of the test and verification of AVs. In this SAE EDGE™ report, six senior industry leaders in the impacted ecosystems essay articles which describe sectors of the current automotive ecosystem and the manner in which AV technology can potentially reshape them - providing a mosaic of the massive infrastructure shifts which will be required to absorb AV technologies. NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the issues they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2019005




Unsettled Topics Concerning Sensors for Automated Road Vehicles


Book Description

This SAE EDGE™ Research Report identifies key unsettled issues of interest to the automotive industry regarding the new generation of sensors designed for vehicles capable of automated driving. Four main issues are outlined that merit immediate interest: First, specifying a standardized terminology and taxonomy to be used for discussing the sensors required by automated vehicles. Second, generating standardized tests and procedures for verifying, simulating, and calibrating automated driving sensors. Third, creating a standardized set of tools and methods to ensure the security, robustness, and integrity of data collected by such sensors. The fourth issue, regarding the ownership and privacy of data collected by automated vehicle sensors, is considered only briefly here since its scope far exceeds the technical issues that are the primary focus of the present report. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are preliminary investigations of new technologies. The three technical issues identified in this report need to be discussed in greater depth with the aims of, first, clarifying the scope of the industry-wide alignment needed, second, prioritizing the issues requiring resolution, and, third, creating a plan to generate the necessary frameworks, practices, and protocols. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2018001




Unsettled Issues in Advanced Air Mobility Certification


Book Description

Advanced air mobility (AAM) refers to urban transportation systems that move people and goods by air. This has significant implications for reducing traffic congestion in cities and for providing an integrated approach to urban mobility. With the emergence of drone technology and the possibility of more autonomous aircraft, interest has grown considerably in AAM. Unsettled Issues in Advanced Air Mobility Certification discusses the impact of AAM on private sector solution providers including aerospace and technology companies and goes into solutions for urban planners and transportation professionals for better integration across all AAM modes. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2021014




Unsettled Issues in Determining Appropriate Modeling Fidelity for Automated Driving Systems Simulation


Book Description

This SAE EDGE™ Research Report identifies key unsettled issues of interest to the automotive industry regarding the challenges of achieving optimal model fidelity for developing, validating, and verifying vehicles capable of automated driving. Three main issues are outlined that merit immediate interest: First, assuring that simulation models represent their real-world counterparts, how to quantify simulation model fidelity, and how to assess system risk. Second, developing a universal simulation model interface and language for verifying, simulating, and calibrating automated driving sensors. Third, characterizing and determining the different requirements for sensor, vehicle, environment, and human driver models. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are preliminary investigations of new technologies. The three technical issues identified in this report need to be discussed in greater depth with the aims of, first, clarifying the scope of the industry-wide alignment needed; second, prioritizing the issues requiring resolution; and, third, creating a plan to generate the necessary frameworks, practices, and protocols. NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the issues they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2019007




Unsettled Topics Concerning Autonomous Public Transportation Systems


Book Description

With billions of dollars of investment and events like DARPA’s Grand Challenges automated driving technology has been making its way toward commercialization. While the enabling technology for SAE Level 4 and 5 automated vehicles (AV) has not yet matured, specific restricted-use models such as “robo-taxis” and automated truck convoying show great promise. Now, cities are across the world are looking to AVs to solve their public transportation issues. With low speeds and fixed route, public transportation is an ideal application for AVs. From a business angle, AVs could leverage existing public transport models and infrastructure while providing superior quality of service for disadvantaged communities. Yet, dense urban environments—which would benefit from automated transportation the most—present unique challenges and public sector requirements. This SAE EDGE™ Research Report by Dr. Rahul Razdan examines the divergent applications and experiences of four urban cities as they engage with AV technology for their specific purposes: Jacksonville and Orlando, Florida; Tallinn; and Singapore. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2020020




Unsettled Issues in Balancing Virtual, Closed-Course, and Public-Road Testing of Automated Driving Systems


Book Description

This SAE EDGE™ Research Report identifies key unsettled issues of interest to the automotive industry regarding the challenges of determining the optimal balance for testing automated driving systems (ADS). Three main issues are outlined that merit immediate interest: First, determining what kind of testing an ADS needs before it is ready to go on the road. Second, the current, optimal, and realistic balance of simulation testing and real-world testing. Third, the challenges of sharing data in the industry. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are preliminary investigations of new technologies. The three technical issues identified in this report should be discussed in greater depth with the aims of, first, clarifying the scope of the industry-wide alignment needed; second, prioritizing the issues requiring resolution; and, third, creating a plan to generate the necessary frameworks, practices, and protocols. NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the issues they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2019011




Unsettled Topics in Obstacle Detection for Autonomous Agricultural Vehicles


Book Description

Agricultural vehicles often drive along the same terrain day after day or year after year. Yet, they still must detect if a moveable object, such as another vehicle or an animal, happens to be on their path or if environmental conditions have caused muddy spots or washouts. Obstacle detection is one of the major missing pieces that can remove humans from highly automated agricultural machines today and enable the autonomous vehicles of the future. Unsettled Topics in Obstacle Detection for Autonomous Agricultural Vehicles examines the challenges of environmental object detection and collision prevention, including air obscurants, holes and soft spots, prior maps, vehicle geometry, standards, and close contact with large objects. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2021029