Autonomous vehicles
An autonomous vehicle (AV) is a self-driving vehicle which requires little or no human direction, can sense its environment, typically navigates by satellite and detects objects in its path that it must avoid.
AVs are not just cars: they can also be trains, ships, trucks, drones, tractors, lunar vehicles and so on. They are typically equipped with computers, software and sensors which gather information about the external environment, and are connected to satellites.
For road vehicles, there are two main levels of automation:
- Fully autonomous, where the AV can complete journeys safely without a driver in normally-encountered traffic conditions, and
- Highly automated, where the vehicle can operate in driverless mode but must have a driver on-board to take control if necessary.
Today’s cars can commonly offer assisted driving, with automatic braking, cameras to monitor hazards, parking assistance and alarms to alert drivers when they have strayed from designated lanes.
When full autonomy occurs, autonomous cars may:
- Drive themselves from door-to-door without a driver, including in city and motorway conditions.
- Communicate through the Internet of Things with each other and the road infrastructure and so make decisions about optimal routes, internal temperature etc.
- Have no options for drivers to take control of vehicles.
One of the biggest questions around vehicle autonomy is, given the driver is not in control, who will be liable in the event of an accident? If the software goes wrong should the vehicle provider, software developer or the vehicle manufacturer be liable? Questions such as these are still being debated hotly by the industry.
And are current drivers competent enough to be in control of highly automated vehicles (HAVs)? A report by the House of Lords Science & Technology committee suggested that drivers with existing licences should be required to take a special driving test to ensure they can take back control in an autonomous car.
Research showed that driver responses in AV conditions are slower than when they are in full control of a vehicle, taking on average six times longer to respond to emergency braking situations. This could be, the report suggested, because drivers can become complacent under autonomous conditions.
AVs will potentially transform cities due to safer roads, fewer accidents, less congestion and smoother traffic flow, with extensive freeing-up of conventional parking space. They could also bring about changes in car ownership patterns and change the urban landscape.
[edit] Progress
In July 2019, the government launched a consultation on proposals to alter existing residential and non-residential buildings regulations to include electric vehicle infrastructure requirements. Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/electric-vehicle-chargepoints-in-residential-and-non-residential-buildings
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Autonomous vehicles and insurance.
- Autonomous vehicles and the insurance market.
- Autonomous vehicles - do we trust them?
- Boosting electric vehicle use.
- Electric car charging stations - what you need to know.
- Electric vehicles.
- Electricity.
- Fuel.
- Fuel cells
- Hyperloop
- Key notes on electric car charging points.
- London car charging infrastructure.
- New style EV charging stations.
- Smart village trials autonomous shuttle and private mobile network.
- Zero-emissions vehicles.
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.