New video sparks discussion about automated vehicles

A regulatory system for automated vehicles is currently under construction in Australia.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) is seeking to establish a framework that will determine the way in which laws and regulations are affected by machines controlling cars.

"Evidence suggests that automated vehicle technology has the potential to improve safety, efficiency and mobility in our communities," said NTC Chief Executive Paul Retter.

"However, there are important questions surrounding safety, insurance, the use of data, as well as how we define a 'driver' in the context of an automated vehicle.

"These issues are being addressed by the NTC as part of a comprehensive program of work being undertaken in collaboration with all levels of government to create an end-to-end regulatory system for automated vehicles."

Retter said that this collaborative effort includes significant input from industry and other key local and international stakeholders.

The NTC will shortly release a regulation impact statement (RIS) for public consultation on a safety assurance regime which aims to ensure that vehicles at all levels of automation are safe as they come to market.

To help stimulate the discussion, the NTC has released a video posing the question: "Would you travel in an automated vehicle?"

The short video highlights some of the most important legal and regulatory questions surrounding the introduction of automated vehicles in Australia.

"During 2018, the NTC will also look at how existing driving laws should be amended to allow for automated vehicles, how motor vehicle injury insurance schemes could be affected and how government will access and use the data generated by these vehicles," said Retter.

He said that the term automated vehicle encapsulates more than just fully driverless cars.

"Manufacturers are progressively introducing automated features, such as braking, acceleration and steering. They still envisage a human driver taking control of the vehicle at some point in the journey or if something goes wrong.

"We aim to have an end-to-end regulatory system in place so that all levels of automated vehicles can operate safely and legally on our roads from 2020.

"Our focus is on ensuring the regulatory system remains flexible enough to accommodate evolving technologies as they come to market while always prioritising public safety."

More information on the NTC's automated vehicle work can be found on the NTC website.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/sittinan