Poor design is common and well known.
Sure, but when there's a passenger road on one side of such a road and the sidewalk is on the other, at least light it decently.
I was surprised at first to find out that the car didn't have IR or other night-sight.
Me too. But this seems to be a thing, to cut costs down even before production starts. And to easily upgrade older cars by software update.
when they do mature to that point, automated cars will greatly outperform humans in nighttime avoidance.
Only with better cameras, the cams used today have poorer vision in the dark than humans.
Also the victim might have been intoxicated (source):
Herzberg, who had herself spent time in prison for drug offenses, stepped out in front of her with a bicycle carrying multiple shopping bags
Poor design may be a factor, but I don't think we can lay blame there. Poor design is common and well known.
Any one who is going to drive, or even go outside alone, is expected to be aware of potential road hazards.
I was surprised at first to find out that the car didn't have IR or other night-sight. I expect that when they do mature to that point, automated cars will greatly outperform humans in nighttime avoidance.
I really think that Darwin was the MVP on this one.