Robinson, Jonathan, Smyth, Joseph, Woodman, Roger and Donzella, Valentina (2021) Ethical considerations and moral implications of autonomous vehicles and unavoidable collisions. Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science . doi:10.1080/1463922X.2021.1978013 (In Press)

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Abstract

While it is widely agreed that automated and autonomous vehicles may provide safety benefits over vehicles with lower level or no automation, due to other road users there will still likely be situations where a collision is unavoidable. What should a vehicle that is operating autonomously do when it has no choice but to have a collision? And who should decide which vehicle manoeuvre is the most acceptable? These situations create moral dilemmas requiring consideration of the most acceptable and moral action of the vehicle. In this paper we explore current research in this domain and work towards enabling ethical solutions. We identify current experimental work (practical studies rather than theoretical studies) on this problem often contains fundamental flaws due to the lack of real-world validity within the studied scenarios. We argue that morality is highly context dependent and that participants need to be more engaged in the choices they are claiming to make. Suggestions for future work include virtual reality or simulation methodologies which promote immersivity to ensure procedural validity whilst retaining safety. We also identify current guidelines contradict public viewpoint and argue public attitude needs to be better understood to give autonomous and automated vehicle manufacturers confidence in their design.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications T Technology > TE Highway engineering. Roads and pavements T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > WMG (Formerly the Warwick Manufacturing Group)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Automated vehicles, Automated vehicles -- Design and construction, Automated vehicles -- Moral and ethical aspects, Automated vehicles -- Safety measures, Automobiles -- Collision avoidance systems, Intelligent transportation systems, Traffic safety
Journal or Publication Title:	Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis Ltd.
ISSN:	1463-922X
Official Date:	15 October 2021
Dates:	Date Event 15 October 2021 Available 3 September 2021 Accepted
DOI:	10.1080/1463922X.2021.1978013
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	In Press
Publisher Statement:	This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science on 15 Oct 2021, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/1463922X.2021.1978013
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access

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