Autonomous vehicle technology assumes that partial automation, where people are in control of vehicles at varying levels, is feasible. But research shows this is not how humans behave.

Bob O’Donnell writes about delays in the development of autonomous vehicle technology. One issue, he says, is that the current system of automation levels, which range from no automation at Level 0 to full automation at Level 5, do not adequately account for human nature.
This range assume that vehicles can be semiautonomous, as reflected in Levels 2-4, where people are always ready to take control. "But people don’t behave that way in the car. They either they pay attention, or they don’t," says O’Donnell.
He argues that a two-category distinction, assisted or autonomous, more accurately captures human behavior and would help with the long-term development of this technology.
"Full-throated advocates of full vehicle autonomy may decry any further delays to an autonomous driving world, but simplifying and focusing car technology developments into two simple categories is a safer and more realistic choice for the long term. Anything in between isn’t only impractical, it’s dangerous," says O’Donnell.
FULL STORY: How the race to autonomous cars got sidetracked by human nature

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service