Applying systems-theoretic process analysis in the context of cooperative driving

TL;DR

This paper explores the application of Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis to cooperative driving vehicles to enhance safety standards in safety-critical automotive systems.

Contribution

It demonstrates how a modern safety analysis method can be adapted for cooperative driving, addressing gaps in current safety standards.

Findings

Applied STPA in the GCDC context

Reflections on the suitability of STPA for cooperative driving

Insights into safety analysis for automated vehicles

Abstract

Highly automated, cooperative driving vehicles will allow for a more fluid flow of traffic, resulting in more efficient, eco-friendly and safe traffic situations. The automotive industry however, is safety critical and current safety standards were not designed to deal with cooperative driving. In this paper, we apply a modern safety analysis method, Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis, in the context of cooperative driving as part of the Grand Cooperative Driving Challenge (GCDC) and present our reflections on the method.