Solving the Single-Vehicle Self-Driving Car Trolley Problem Using Risk Theory and Vehicle Dynamics

Davnall, Rebecca ORCID: 0000-0001-6535-3833 (2019) Solving the Single-Vehicle Self-Driving Car Trolley Problem Using Risk Theory and Vehicle Dynamics. Science and Engineering Ethics, 26 (1). pp. 431-449.

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Text
Solving the Self-Driving Car Trolley Problem final.docx - Author Accepted Manuscript
Download (51kB)

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11948-019-00102-6

Abstract

Questions of what a self-driving car ought to do if it encounters a situation analogous to the ‘trolley problem’ have dominated recent discussion of the ethics of self-driving cars. This paper argues that this interest is misplaced. If a trolley-style dilemma situation actually occurs, given the limits on what information will be available to the car, the dynamics of braking and tyre traction determine that, irrespective of outcome, it is always least risky for the car to brake in a straight line rather than swerve.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Self-driving cars, The trolley problem, Automation, Ethics, Risk, Vehicle Dynamics
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	28 Mar 2019 09:22
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 00:55
DOI:	10.1007/s11948-019-00102-6
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-019-00102-6
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3035142