DG Cities: Trust Gap in ADAS Threatens Self-Driving Future

Research from future mobility experts, DG Cities, has revealed a significant trust gap in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that could slow the UK's transition to autonomous vehicles (AVs). The study highlights widespread confusion regarding ADAS capabilities and limitations, raising concerns about safety and public confidence.

"If people don't understand or trust ADAS today, we cannot expect them to embrace autonomous vehicles tomorrow," said Balazs Csuvar, Director of Innovation & Net Zero at DG Cities. "ADAS technologies are the stepping stones to full autonomy. The UK's transition to a self-driving future relies on building public trust and confidence in these systems. Government and regulators must act now to remove this critical barrier to AV adoption."

Widespread confusion and misinformation at the point of purchase

ADAS features, including Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Intelligent Speed Assist, have become increasingly common. In July 2024, the European Union made these features mandatory in new vehicles under the General Safety Regulation (GSR2).

However, the UK has yet to adopt GSR2, creating inconsistencies in oversight and standardisation.

DG Cities' research, based on a representative UK survey, shows that while 70% of ADAS users acknowledge their benefits, more than 40% of drivers report receiving insufficient information about these systems at the point of purchase.

The lack of understanding leads to dissatisfaction and could ultimately hinder AV adoption. Notably, those who feel positively towards ADAS are almost twice as likely to embrace AVs in the future.

A mystery shopping investigation further uncovered that UK dealership sales agents frequently exaggerated ADAS capabilities or lacked adequate knowledge, leading to misinformation and potential safety risks.

"It is estimated that there will be a 30% reduction in crashes once all vehicles have ADAS features, which is very encouraging news," Balazs added. "But this safety benefit could be undermined if drivers don't understand how to use these systems properly or if the systems themselves aren't thoroughly tested in real-world scenarios."

Emergency services face operational challenges

DG Cities' research uncovered that one of the most pressing concerns is that ADAS features are not rigorously tested for real-world emergencies. Interviews with UK ambulance, fire and police services revealed critical issues, including:

• Lane Keep Assist resisting centre-line crossings, impeding emergency manoeuvres.
• Autonomous Emergency Braking is triggering unexpectedly and disrupting emergency response times.

"Currently, manufacturers are not required to pass thorough mandatory regulatory ADAS tests to sell vehicles in the UK," Balazs explained.

"Consumers and fleet operators must rely on non-compulsory Euro NCAP ratings to assess and compare ADAS performance.

"However, it requires manufacturer participation and the test scenarios vehicles are subjected to remain limited. Testing must be expanded to cover more scenarios and real-world edge cases, such as those involving emergency vehicles."

Public trust in AVs hinges on independent safety oversight

DG Cities' research shows strong public support for independent regulation of AV safety. More than two-thirds of the UK public prefer government or third-party oversight over allowing manufacturers to self-certify AV safety.

The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 establishes that AVs must meet the standard of a 'careful and competent human driver,' but public confidence will depend on clear, evidence-based safety assurances.

The study found that reducing road fatalities and serious injuries is a powerful motivator for AV acceptance. When asked if they would support widespread AV adoption if it reduced serious injuries and fatalities by just 5%, public support increased from under half to nearly three-quarters.

DeepSafe calls for better testing, regulation and communication

DG Cities conducted the research as part of DeepSafe, a consortium-led project advancing self-driving vehicle deployment. The project brings together transport and technology specialists, including DG Cities, dRisk.ai, Imperial College London, Claytex, and rFpro. The Centre funds it for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) via Innovate UK.

DeepSafe has integrated cutting-edge technologies to develop test and development tools for AV technologies. The research suggests that testing ADAS and AV systems against extensive virtual libraries of edge-case scenarios can improve AV safety sixfold compared to some traditional industry methods.

Recommendations for immediate action

Based on technical findings and consumer attitudes, the DeepSafe consortium urges the UK government to take the following steps:

• Develop comprehensive ADAS testing protocols to ensure safety before AVs are widely deployed
• Expand testing to include edge cases, particularly those involving emergency services
• Improve public communication with transparent messaging about ADAS and AV capabilities and limitations
• Engage the public in shaping safety standards, increasing trust and transparency.

Without public trust in ADAS, the UK's transition to autonomous mobility faces significant challenges. Independent regulation, rigorous testing and better consumer education are crucial to ensuring ADAS serves as a reliable foundation for self-driving technology.

By addressing these concerns now, policymakers, industry leaders and regulators can help the UK embrace safer, smarter transport solutions and secure its place as a leader in autonomous vehicle adoption.

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