## 5 Discussion  
AVs are a relatively recent technology, developed and spread over the last decades and now becoming more common in daily life, thanks to technology's progress, particularly in the IT field. The most recent AV technology exploits mathematical algorithms converted into software codes to regulate automated traffic and maneuvers undertaken at road intersections [47]. Neural networks have been implemented for this purpose too. One of the main challenges, in this sense, consists of the accuracy levels achieved when replicating the analysis scenario, as it can be characterized by a multitude of different variables that cannot always be translated into computerized models (for instance, trying to predict pedestrian traffic trajectories). Accuracy also depends on the type of algorithm used for the scenario. The best results are achieved the more the algorithm fits the objective case. Calibration plays another critical role in this sense. General considerations for some of the AV algorithms have been introduced in this article, explicitly concerning automated intersections. AVs technology offers ongoing opportunities for upgrades and improvements. Therefore, the goal to replicate real-life models and random interactions with decent accuracy still constitutes a significant challenge for multidisciplinary research studies. Regarding road intersections, one of the most common approaches considers the interaction between vehicles, both autonomous and unmanned, and special devices installed at the intersection to detect and interact with traffic, optimizing velocities and space between vehicles in order to achieve the best and most certain traffic conditions.  
AVs bring many benefits to several areas, considering the improvement in road safety, reduction of emissions, and travel time optimization, to name a few. Additional benefits concern health as these vehicles deliver sensitive goods without exposing any driver to them (for instance, delivering hazardous substances to hospitals). Current scientific  
Figure 10: Channelized versus wandering permanent deformation response [46].  
literature already shows the benefits introduced by AVs, improving day by day research progresses with its course. An optimized traffic flow means reducing travel times and lower congestion levels, consequently reducing pollution emissions. Moreover, since maneuvers become automatized, the probability of accidents caused by human errors and misbehavior becomes lower, with clear consequences for people's quality of life and government services costs. Although reducing some risks, AVs introduce new ones, some of which have been reported in this article, risks related to errors and malfunctioning of the automated systems, and consequent to hacking attempts. As a proposed idea, it could be interesting, for example, to make a comparative study between some of the reduced risks against the introduced ones, especially trying to assess and compare the impact of possible consequences. One of the most significant challenges would probably lie in their assessment and attempt to translate them into comparable numerical values (safety, direct and indirect costs, and emissions, to name a few) [48]. The research could also focus on improving the existing algorithms, analyzing new scenarios, deepening recent aspects such as the COVID19 and its effects on traffic automation. In any case, it is understandable how the research in AVs will be helpful in the following years and will have to proceed side by side with several different disciplines such as \(\Pi\), electronics, and even medicine.