Session: Government Agency Student Posters

Paper Number: 173481

Considerations for Vulnerable User Safety in Autonomous Ride-Share Vehicles 

Purpose

In the United States (US), autonomous vehicles (AVs) are found in multiple states with an expected widening use in the near future. Several benefits may accompany their implementation; less car accidents, environmental and health benefits, and increased transportation access for marginalized populations. However, certain factors must be contemplated to implement AVs in a safe system that supports their benefits. One factor to consider is what safe use of AVs looks like for vulnerable populations as AVs may offer opportunities for transit of disabled persons and unsupervised minors. To understand existing transportation practices and safety concerns, this study reviewed existing rules and safety features focused on minors traveling alone and disabled persons in the US. It also explored differences between crashes involving traditional internal combustion/hybrid vehicles and those involving electric vehicles (EVs) under the assumption that AVs would utilize electric propulsion systems.

Methods

Public websites for rideshare services (Lyft and Uber), train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound), subway systems in US cities (New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Chicago), and airlines (American Airlines and Qantas) were searched to document policies regarding transportation access and safety practices for minors traveling independently and disabled persons. Additionally, to characterize crash scenarios and environments that riders in AVs might experience, a review of crashes involving EVs was made using data by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This review focused on crashes in the Fatality Analysis Recording System (FARS) from 2022-2023, centering on crash types potentially inhibiting emergency response, namely rollovers and fires which can damage vehicle communication systems. Differences in crash type frequencies for EVs documented in the FARS data set (cases) were compared to crashes involving non-EVs (controls) matched via vehicle body type and model year. Comparisons employed chi-square statistical tests.

Results

Most airlines require that children traveling alone utilize their “unaccompanied minors” service that provides in-transit supervision and requires caregivers at drop off and pick up locations. Lyft prohibits use under the age of eighteen while Uber has a program for teens that implements extra measures such as trip tracking. Greyhound forbids those under fifteen from traveling alone. Amtrak prohibits anyone under twelve from traveling alone, has requirements such as caregiver pickup for children aged thirteen-fifteen, and permits children sixteen and older to travel as adults. Concerning disabled persons, all transit systems had information regarding rules and/or regulations that ensure accessibility. Policies conformed to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by offering a wide range of support such as implementation of physical forms of assistance (e.g. ramps) and employee assistance. 

The FARS search identified 280 crashes involving EVs, with a matched set of 18845 control vehicles. Cases demonstrated a lower rate of rollovers compared to matched controls (6.5% vs 10.9%, p=0.017). The occurrence of vehicle fire or explosion in EVs was higher than the controls (9.7% vs 3.9%, p<0.001). 

Conclusions

Many policies have been established to ensure transportation entities permit disabled persons to travel and provide accommodations. This, however, is not applicable for independent minors. Efforts to promote safe independent travel should include methods to monitor trips and facilitate communication. As this analysis indicated there is an increased frequency in fires in electric vehicle fatal crashes, efforts to ensure safe travel of vulnerable individuals should consider fire monitoring and communication systems that maintain function in fire. Future work in this study will continue examining vehicle safety systems and crash scenarios to identify actions that reduce risk to vulnerable AV occupants.

Presenting Author: Sydney Vazquez Kettering University

Presenting Author Biography: Sydney Vazquez is an undergraduate student at Texas Woman's University pursuing a degree in Computer Science and has an expected graduation date of Fall 2025. She is currently participating in an NSF REU program with a focus on Autonomous Vehicles at Kettering University. Sydney has a special interest in data analysis and project management with a focus on work that positively contributes to people and the products they interact with.

Authors:

Sydney Vazquez Kettering University
Theresa Atkinson Kettering University