Coventry University has conducted a study ahead of AVs becoming a reality on UK roads
Researchers at Coventry University say understanding how pedestrians interact with automated vehicles (AVs) is crucial to preventing accidents and saving lives as self-driving cars become a reality on UK roads
The UK government predicts that AVs could be on the roads as soon as 2026, and that around 40% of new cars will be self-driving by 2035, contributing to the growing pressure to ensure these vehicles can safely navigate real-world environments.
A new international study, led by Coventry University's Research Centre for Future Transport and Cities and conducted in collaboration with Deakin University, Australia, examined how pedestrians make decisions when crossing roads in front of AVs. The study, which involved 281 participants, revealed that people assess factors such as road gradient, weather, vehicle type, and distance before crossing.
Pedestrians were more likely to cross when AVs were travelling uphill, in sunny weather, and when smaller vehicles were further away, suggesting AVs should adopt more cautious driving styles in riskier scenarios and signal safely earlier through deceleration.
Sachita Shahi, study lead and a postgraduate researcher at Coventry University and Deakin University, said, “By identifying the conditions that make pedestrians feel safer, we can inform AV design to better support safe and predictable road interactions.”
The study also introduced a psychological dimension to AV-pedestrian interaction to explore how personality traits can influence pedestrian behaviour.
Participants were grouped into three behavioural profiles — risk-averse, resolute, and indecisive — based on traits such as agreeableness, openness, and error-proneness. By understanding these profiles, AV developers can tailor vehicle algorithms to different pedestrian types, potentially enhancing safety and trust.
Dr William Payre, assistant professor at the Research Centre for Future Transport and Cities, said, “Regardless of how advanced AV technology becomes, people still rely on their lived experiences as pedestrians. It’s not just about the technology – it’s about how people interpret risk based on what they know.”
Payre added, "When the road was steep, they were more cautious. It wasn’t about the AV; it was about their own experience. The sensors and the vehicle try to interpret how a pedestrian is behaving to adapt how the vehicle drives. We’re trying to give a human flavour to the data, not just numbers, to help AVs think like humans and understand human behaviour.”
The team now plans to take their findings into a virtual reality setting, using eye-tracking and behavioural data to further understand pedestrian decision-making.
Shahi said, “Next, we want to see not just when people cross, but what they look at and what factors they consider most important. This will give us a much deeper insight into how people interact with AVs. The aim of all of this work is to make the roads of the future safer for everyone.”
