Right-of-way interactions between automated vehicles and other road users in winter conditions – Insights from Oslo, Norway

• One of the first observational studies of AVs under winter conditions in mixed traffic. • Valuable insight regarding AVs’ performance during the testing phase. • AVs were able to solve complex traffic situations in an assertive way. • Notable improvements in AVs’ performance compared with the previous pilots in Oslo. This study was conducted during the initial phase of testing an on-demand, shared automated service in Oslo, Norway. It draws on video recordings and log-data (speed, driving status, GPS) from the automated vehicles (AVs) collected during three weeks in winter 2024/2025 to examine the nature and challenges of right-of-way interactions at a right-hand-priority T-intersection in an urban area. Our main goal was to explore potential conflicts and risky situations between AVs and other road users in ways that can inform the development and eventual introduction of safe autonomous systems. Compared with the studies we conducted earlier in the Oslo region, the AVs in this pilot demonstrated notable improvements in their ability to operate in complex traffic environments. At the same time, we observed challenging situations involving negotiation, the assessment of other road users’ intentions as well as informal norms and mobility practices. Some of these situations required that the on-board operator disengaged the AV from automated mode to solve the situation. We selected seven illustrative examples of these and discussed them in more detail. It is worth noting that the study utilises data collected during a short period of the testing phase, when disengagements may have reflected testing protocols or precautionary measures rather than technical limitations. As such, the findings should not be interpreted as indicative of how AVs would perform in routine operations without an on-board human operator. Nevertheless, they suggest continued progress and provide relevant insights into how AVs are adapting to real-world urban settings.