Coventry University study explores pedestrian reactions to AVs

Coventry University researchers Dr William Payre and Sachita Shahi

As self-driving vehicles edge closer to becoming a reality on UK roads, researchers at Coventry University are urging industry and policymakers to pay close attention to how pedestrians interact with automated vehicles (AVs). With Government projections suggesting AVs could be on the roads by 2026 and up to 40% of new cars being self-driving by 2035, the race is on 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, in collaboration with Deakin University in Australia, has shed light on the decision-making processes pedestrians use when crossing in front of AVs. The study involved 281 participants and revealed that people consider a range of factors including road gradient, weather conditions, vehicle type and distance before deciding to cross.

Sachita Shahi, 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 findings showed pedestrians were more likely to cross when AVs were travelling uphill, in sunny weather, and when smaller vehicles were further away. These insights suggest AVs should adopt more cautious driving styles in riskier scenarios and signal their intentions earlier through deceleration.

AV-pedestrian interaction
The study also introduced a psychological dimension to AV-pedestrian interaction, examining how personality traits 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. This behavioural profiling could allow AV developers to 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, who contributed to the study and is overseeing Sachita’s research, said: “Regardless of how advanced AV technology becomes, people still rely on their lived experiences as pedestrians. It is not just about the technology — it is about how people interpret risk based on what they know.

“When the road was steep, they were more cautious. It was not 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 are trying to give a human flavour to the data, not just numbers, to help AVs think like humans and understand human behaviour.”

The research team now plans to take their findings into a virtual reality setting, using eye-tracking and behavioural data to deepen understanding of pedestrian decision-making.

Sachita 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.”