Transport body highlights key issues based on other existing Australian and international frameworks
The National Transport Commission (NTC) says Australia is a “step closer” to having national standards for automated vehicle trials with the release of its new discussion paper on the subject.
The paper, National guidelines for automated vehicle trials, highlights key issues for supporting trials based on other existing Australian and international frameworks and proposes key criteria for inclusion in the national guidelines.
NTC says this is the first step in its phased approach to “facilitate the testing and trialling of automated vehicles in the short term, and prepare for the safe deployment of automated vehicles on public roads in the medium to long term”.
The transport body is also calling for feedback from relevant stakeholders including vehicle manufacturers, technology providers, safety groups and road users into the key elements needed to support such trials, which, it says, is an important step to ensure safety and efficiency.
“Developing a single and nationally-agreed set of guidelines would help promote Australia as a test bed for automated vehicles by providing consistent conditions for trials, while at the same time encouraging innovation,” NTC acting chief executive Geoff Allan says.
“The guidelines will also help support cross-border trials.
“By harmonising trial conditions and expectations across jurisdictions, governments can work with industry to further explore the potential economic, environmental and safety benefits of this technology.”
NTC says it has had government support in the development of trial guidelines.
It will present the recommendations on these guidelines to the Transport and Infrastructure Council during a meeting in May next year.
Submissions can be made until 4pm on January 16.