In a strong signal of support for the UK automotive and technology industries, the Government announced earlier this month that a process is being developed to support advanced trials of automated vehicles, as long as they have passed rigorous safety assessments.
In response to feedback from industry, it also announced that its world-leading code of practice for testing automated vehicles will be strengthened further “to set even clearer expectations for safe and responsible trials”.
This reinforces the UK’s status as a global leader in the testing of automated vehicles; and with the UK’s market for connected and automated vehicles estimated to be worth £52 billion by 2035, it is a major boost for a sector that is “open to investment from the world’s brightest transport technology companies. It also demonstrates that the Government is on track to meet its commitment to have fully self-driving vehicles on UK roads by 2021”.
Jesse Norman, the Future of Mobility Minister, said: “Thanks to the UK’s world-class research base, this country is in the vanguard of the development of new transport technologies, including automation.
“The Government is supporting the safe, transparent trialling of this pioneering technology, which could transform the way we travel.”
Meanwhile, Automotive Minister Richard Harrington said: “The UK has a rich heritage in automotive development and manufacturing, with automated and electric vehicles set to transform the way we all live our lives.
"We want to ensure, through the Industrial Strategy Future of Mobility Grand Challenge, that we build on this success and strength to ensure that we are home to the development and manufacture of the next generation of vehicles.
"We need to take the public with us, as we move towards having self-driving cars on our roads by 2021. The update to the code of practice will provide clearer guidance to those looking to carry out trials on public roads.”
Under the strengthened code, those carrying out trials for automated vehicles will be expected to publish safety information plus trial performance reports, and to carry out risk assessments before conducting a trial.
They will also be expected to inform the relevant authorities, the emergency services and anyone who might be affected by trial activity.