Analysis of Impact Assessment Field Operational Test (FOT) Data

Abstract

In the impact assessment field operational tests (FOTs), various automated vehicles were driven in mixed traffic environments on general roads, and the impact of these vehicles on ordinary vehicles and pedestrians was evaluated. For these tests, a visualization system was constructed and adopted that combines image data from fixed point cameras installed at multiple intersections, image data from on-board cameras, and vehicle behavior data. The tests confirmed that the addition of automated vehicles did not have a significant negative effect on action times when turning left or right, and that the variance in these action times was smaller for mixed traffic than traffic containing only ordinary vehicles. In contrast, sudden deceleration by automated vehicles on normal stretches of roads, immediately before intersections, and the like, caused various near-miss incidents involving surrounding vehicles. Additionally, the tests did not find a lack of eye contact been drivers and pedestrians on crossings and the like as a result of automated driving. As a result, it was confirmed that the automated vehicles in the tests drove safely in the presence of pedestrians. To help realize advanced automated driving in harmony with ordinary vehicles and pedestrians, similar assessments to those carried out in these FOTs should be continued as automated driving technology becomes more sophisticated and automated vehicles become more widespread.