Government sets out regulatory framework for deployment of AVs by 2025
The UK government has set out a regulatory framework to enable the deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the UK by 2025. It outlines new legislation which would allow cars, coaches and lorries with self-driving features to be operating on motorways in the next year and the wider rollout of self-driving vehicles by 2025.
The government also announced a £100 million funding package in support of its ambition. This included £34 million for research to support safety developments and inform more detailed legislation. This is expected to include researching the performance of self-driving cars in poor weather conditions and how they interact with pedestrians, other vehicles, and cyclists.
The government also confirmed a further £20 million, as part of the overall £100 million, to help kick-start commercial self-driving services such as groceries delivered by self-driving vehicles and shuttle pods assisting passengers when moving through airports. £6 million will also be used for further market research and to support commercialisation of the technology.
The government says self-driving vehicles will revolutionise public transport and passenger travel, especially for those who don’t drive. They will better connect rural communities and reduce road collisions caused by human error.
And further in the future they could provide tailored on-demand links from rural towns and villages to existing public transport options nearby and enable people to better access services including schools and medical appointments.
The new legislation would enable self-driving vehicles on motorways within the next year, although in this instance users would need a valid driving licence for so they can drive on other roads. But other self-driving vehicles, for example used for public transport or delivery, expected on the roads by 2025, would not need anyone onboard with a driving licence because they would be able to drive themselves for the whole journey.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said, “We want the UK to be at the forefront of developing and using this fantastic technology, and that is why we are investing millions in vital research into safety and setting the legislation to ensure we gain the full benefits that this technology promises.
Controversially the government has set a safety ambition for self-driving vehicles to be “as safe as a competent and careful human driver.” This is orders of magnitude less safe than required by rail or aviation.
The new laws, says Shapps, will be “brought forward when parliamentary time allows”. The legislation will build on existing laws, and state that manufacturers are responsible for the vehicle’s actions when self-driving, meaning a human driver would not be liable for incidents related to driving while the vehicle is in control of driving.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng added, “Self-driving vehicles have the potential to revolutionise people’s lives. This funding will help unlock the incredible potential of this industry, attracting investment, developing the UK’s growing self-driving vehicle supply chain, and supporting high-skill jobs as these new means of transport are rolled out.
AA president, Edmund King, said, “The automotive world is changing rapidly and so the government is right to embrace the positive changes offered by this new technology and back it by funding research and putting forward legislation.
“It is still quite a big leap from assisted driving, where the driver is still in control, to self-driving, where the car takes control. It is important that the government does study how these vehicles would interact with other road users on different roads and changing weather conditions. The ultimate prize is well worth pursuing.”
The government’s announcements coincided with publication of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation’s (CDEI) Responsible Innovation in Self-Driving Vehicles report, which sets out proposals for a trustworthy approach to the regulation and governance of self-driving vehicles.