UK government pledges to get driverless cars on the road by 2021
Story from Autonomous Vehicle International.
The UK is pushing forward with its efforts to get autonomous, self-driving cars on the road by 2021 after publishing its Code of Practice guidelines for automated vehicle trialling.
The document covers the process of advanced trials of automated vehicles on public roads, including a number of requirements for companies that will ensure safe testing.
Along with more transparent guidelines, the UK government is supporting the development of self-driving cars by allowing vehicle trials on any UK road (providing they are compliant with UK law) as well as the chance to ditch a safety driver.
The document states that vehicles will be allowed to test on public roads using a remote driver, rather than a human behind the wheel or even in the car, providing the remote driver is able to intervene at any moment. Experts have responded to the new code of practice, particularly the news of being able to perform tests without an onboard safety driver.
The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) welcomes the DfT’s update as a positive move toward a transparent template for automated vehicle trials that will accelerate delivery and boost public acceptance of these new technologies.
“Looking to the future, this latest guidance from DfT is a welcome move toward a more transparent and open platform for connected and automated vehicle (CAV) trials here in the UK,” said Dr David Hynd, chief scientist at TRL.
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