Potholes and Autonomous Vehicles: A Roadblock to the Future?

The UK government passed the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act earlier this year, paving the way for self-driving vehicles to be on British roads by 2026. However, the UK faces a potholes crisis and self-driving vehicles are not yet proven to be safe around potholes. The RAC estimates there are at least one million potholes on the UK’s roads each year. Research by Autoglass® in 2023 also found that 44% of drivers in the UK who found a chip or a crack in their windscreen in the previous twelve months believed potholes were to blame*.
Amid the ongoing issue of potholes and the upcoming launch of self-driving vehicles on UK roads, Tim Camm, Technical Training Manager at Autoglass®, says:
“Self-driving vehicles have the potential to have a huge positive impact for UK drivers, not least in improving road safety by cutting down on human error. However, it is essential that steps are taken to fix the huge number of potholes on the UK’s roads before we see the mass uptake of these vehicles.
“Potholes have long been a nuisance for drivers in the UK, with these bumps in the road causing both damage to vehicles and potential accidents as drivers swerve to avoid them, but they could also pose a significant barrier to the successful roll out of self-driving vehicles. These vehicles use sensors to scan the road in front of them for hazards or objects to avoid. The sensors sit on the windscreen, and as potholes sit below the vehicle it is possible the scanners will be unable to spot them. If the sensor does not identify the pothole this would cause issues as the car would not know to slow down or turn to avoid the gap. Driving over a pothole at speed could cause significant damage to what will already be expensive vehicles, and would also be dangerous for the passengers inside. It is crucial that the Labour government fulfills its manifesto promise to fund local councils for repairing up to a million potholes annually in England.
“There are several other considerations when it comes to road infrastructure that need to be considered before self-driving vehicles can be a reality on UK roads. Self-driving vehicles require specific routes and uninterrupted traffic flow, which may not always be feasible due to the dynamic nature of road networks and traffic conditions. For instance, the complexity of certain motorways like the M1, with its multiple lanes and frequent roadworks, could present significant challenges for self-driving cars.
“We also need to bear in mind that these vehicles’ ability to predict and adapt to varying road conditions, as well as sudden weather changes, is still under development. Heavy rain or snow can impair camera visibility, complicating the software’s object and obstacle identification on the road. Similarly, fog can curtail sensor range, impacting the vehicle’s obstacle detection and avoidance abilities.
“There is no doubt that self-driving vehicles have huge potential to transform transport in the UK and bring numerous benefits to businesses and consumers. However, challenges such as the escalating pothole issue demand immediate attention, and collective action from industry stakeholders, local authorities, and government to ensure they remain safe for everyone.”
*About the data:
The research was conducted with Opinium, surveying 2000 UK adults between 31st March and 4th April 2023.