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International experts discuss connected vehicle security

TCA says security is a key factor in safe and successful deployment of new transport technologies

Connected vehicle security and harmonisation efforts require deliberate, collaborative efforts between regions, while taking local considerations into account, the Transport Certification Australia (TCA) states.

As the Australian co-lead on international harmonisation task groups (HTGs) with the European Commission and the US Department of Transportation, TCA hosted the HTG team in Melbourne last week.

The event, ‘Connected Vehicle Security and Standards’, was an opportunity to discuss international developments that are harmonising security and standards for connected and automated vehicles.

Those present included senior representatives from Australian road and transport agencies, the National Transport Commission (NTC), Austroads, the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB), Roads Australia, ITS Australia, the NZ Ministry of Transport, Royal Automobile Club Victoria (RACV), Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), and representatives from the automotive, telematics and transport sectors.

Experts from Europe, the United States and Australia discussed various aspects of connected and automated vehicle technology including, security, trust, privacy and interoperability.

TCA believes these “key areas” will underpin the cooperative and connected transportation network into the future.

“The speakers highlighted the benefits being derived from of a unified, cooperative and consistent approach to standardisation and security,” said TCA acting CEO Gavin Hill explains.

“The event benefitted not only from the diversity of stakeholders, but the ability for HTG members to translate highly complex subject matter into readily understandable concepts.

“To this end, I take this opportunity to acknowledge HTG members from Europe, the United States and Australia in taking the time to deliver presentations at the event.

“Members of the European Commission and the USDOT acknowledged the benefits of Australia’s ongoing involvement in the harmonisation effort.

With their being few environments where security is operationally deployed in the transport sector, the National Telematics Framework is provides critical knowledge that is now being applied to the world of connected automated vehicles.

“Governments around the world are making security a priority to the enable the deployment of technologies that will transform the transport network,” Hill says.

“Safety and security are one and the same for the connected vehicle world.

“Compromised security could threaten the safety of travellers.

“Security is also fundamental to ensuring a commercially viable deployment.”

Hill says TCA’s experience in deploying and managing a secure, operational environment has been especially valuable.

Although the TCA event explored the subject of connected vehicle technologies from the point of view of passenger vehicles, heavy vehicle manufacturers like Scania and Daimler are already making headway in this area.

While Scania was the first manufacturer to introduce embedded communications devices in vehicles as a standard feature, Daimler’s Freightliner Inspiration semi-trailer truck was the first autonomous commercial vehicle to receive on-road operation permit in the US.

Scania VP connected services and solutions Mattias Lundholm had earlier commented that in the future heavy vehicles will become more dependent on connected vehicle technologies to provide better and more efficient systems.

“These services will, for example, enable transporters to improve logistics planning and utilise vehicles better while drivers can plan optimal routes for fuel efficiency,” Lundholm  says.

Scania is currently designing the world’s first full-scale autonomous truck platooning operations, based on its own advanced technology.

“The platoon will traffic public roads while transporting containers between port terminals in Singapore,” the company states.

“The aim is to organise convoys of four trucks – with the following three trucks behind the lead truck autonomously driven, as well as to fully automate the processes for precise docking and undocking of cargo.”

Last year, Scania Transport Laboratory (STL) demonstrated an example of an automated truck platoon at the company’s headquarters in Södertälje, Sweden.

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