← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Advantages and disadvantages of automation in transport

Compare what automated vehicles and signals gain (fewer driver errors, steady speed, no tiredness) with risks (sensor failure, hacking, job losses), linking each point to the scenario.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 6.1 Automated Systems — Module 45

Understanding Advantages and disadvantages of automation in transport in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: A computer keeps the same speed without human variation, which is an advantage the answer should link to the train scenario. Automated signals are connected to computer systems, so hacking is a risk that can put road users in danger. Computers do not get tired, so tiredness-related accidents are reduced. Automated systems cannot always judge unexpected situations well, so the second answer is wrong. A good answer gives a benefit AND a drawback linked to the scenario. No automated system is free from faults, power cuts or hacking. Job losses are a disadvantage for the drivers. The second option is an advantage, not a disadvantage.

Common mistakes: When the sensor detects an obstacle, the driverless train must stop. The speed should be set to 0, not 80. A FOR loop uses the keyword TO to set the end value. It should be FOR day ← 1 TO 7. This models a driverless train that runs every day without getting tired.

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Learning

Duo

A driverless train runs all night on a fixed track. Which is an advantage linked to this scenario?

It can always judge unexpected hazards better than a humanIt never gets tired, so there are fewer accidents caused by tiredness

Matches

Driverless cars can handle every unexpected hazard

↓

Wrong: automated cars cannot always judge unexpected hazards, such as a person running into the road or an unusual obstacle, as well as a human can.

Applying

Meanings

Term

weigh benefits and drawbacks

Meaning

Compare what automated vehicles and signals gain (fewer driver errors, steady speed, no tiredness) with risks (sensor failure, hacking, job losses), linking each point to the scenario.

Practice

Advantage: the driverless train keeps a steady speed and is never tired.

Testing

Gaps

IF sensorOK = THEN

Check Answer

Spots

2 brake ← ON

3 speed ← 80

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Quick Questions

1. A driverless train runs all night on a fixed track. Which is an advantage linked to this scenario?

A. It can always judge unexpected hazards better than a human

B. It never gets tired, so there are fewer accidents caused by tiredness ✓

Computers do not get tired, so tiredness-related accidents are reduced. Automated systems cannot always judge unexpected situations well, so the second answer is wrong.

2. A driverless car's sensors are covered in thick mud. Which is the best drawback to link to this scenario?

A. Steady speed: the car will always drive too slowly

B. Sensor failure risk: the car may not detect other vehicles or pedestrians ✓

Dirty or damaged sensors can give wrong or no data, which is a safety risk. Steady speed is an advantage, not a drawback caused by mud.

3. Automated traffic signals keep a steady flow of cars through a busy town. Which statement weighs this well?

A. Fewer driver errors at junctions, but hacking could cause the signals to be changed ✓

B. Signals never fail, so there are no disadvantages to consider

A good answer gives a benefit AND a drawback linked to the scenario. No automated system is free from faults, power cuts or hacking.

4. A bus company replaces all its drivers with driverless buses. Which is a disadvantage linked to this scenario?

A. Driver job losses because the buses no longer need people to drive them ✓

B. Fewer accidents from tiredness because the buses do not need rest

Job losses are a disadvantage for the drivers. The second option is an advantage, not a disadvantage.

5. A driverless car is on a motorway and a mattress falls off a lorry in front of it. Which risk does this show?

A. Unexpected hazards: the system may not know how to react to something it was not programmed for ✓

B. Driver errors: the car has made a mistake because the driver was tired

Automated systems follow programmed rules and may struggle with unusual events. A driverless car has no tired driver.

Match the Pairs

Driverless train: no tiredness → An advantage: a computer-controlled train does not get tired, so it avoids accidents caused by driver fatigue on long shifts.

Sensor fails on a driverless car → A disadvantage: if a sensor breaks or is blocked, the car may not detect a hazard and could crash.

An advantage linked to the scenario: an automated train holds a steady speed, so journeys are smoother and more consistent → Train speed = steady

A disadvantage linked to the scenario: a hacker could take control of automated traffic signals and cause accidents → Signals hacked = crash risk

Driverless cars can handle every unexpected hazard → Wrong: automated cars cannot always judge unexpected hazards, such as a person running into the road or an unusual obstacle, as well as a human can.

Automation in transport creates no job losses → Wrong: driverless trains and cars can replace drivers, so jobs such as train drivers and taxi drivers may be lost.

Key Term

weigh benefits and drawbacks

Compare what automated vehicles and signals gain (fewer driver errors, steady speed, no tiredness) with risks (sensor failure, hacking, job losses), linking each point to the scenario.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF sensorOK = FALSE THEN OUTPUT "Stop the train" ENDIF

Hint: Type the Boolean value that shows the train's sensor has failed.

2. WHILE routeClear = TRUE speed ← speedLimit ENDWHILE

Hint: Type the variable that holds the fixed allowed speed, giving steady speed.

3. IF hazard = TRUE THEN OUTPUT "Driver takes control" ENDIF

Hint: Type the keyword that closes the IF block.

4. IF NOT secureLink THEN OUTPUT "Possible hacking" ENDIF

Hint: Type the logical operator that reverses a condition, so a failed security link is detected.

5. drivers ← 20 drivers ← drivers - 5 OUTPUT drivers

Hint: Type the arithmetic operator that reduces the number of drivers needed, showing job losses.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A IF obstacle = TRUE THEN

B brake ← ON

C speed ← 80

D ENDIF

Line C — When the sensor detects an obstacle, the driverless train must stop. The speed should be set to 0, not 80.

Question 2

A FOR day ← 1 UNTIL 7

B train_runs ← TRUE

C NEXT day

Line A — A FOR loop uses the keyword TO to set the end value. It should be FOR day ← 1 TO 7. This models a driverless train that runs every day without getting tired.

Question 3

A tired ← FALSE

B IF tired = TRUE

C OUTPUT 'Risk of accident'

D ENDIF

Line B — The IF statement is missing THEN. It should be IF tired = TRUE THEN. A human driver who is tired is a risk, while an automated vehicle never gets tired.

Question 4

A DECLARE speed INTEGER

B speed ← 50

C OUTPUT 'Steady speed ', speed

Line A — A DECLARE statement needs a colon between the variable name and its data type. It should be DECLARE speed : INTEGER. The program then holds a steady speed.

Question 5

A signal ← 'GREEN'

B IF fault TRUE THEN

C signal ← 'RED'

D ENDIF

Line B — The condition is missing the = comparison operator. It should be IF fault = TRUE THEN. A faulty automated signal should fail safe by showing red.

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