The Pathway to Driverless Cars

Regulatory Review

Aug 2014: Public consultation on testing driverless cars onUK roads.

Feb 2015: The Pathway to Driverless Cars reports published.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/driverless-cars-in-the-uk-a-regulatory-review

Government funding

Dec 2014: About £40m – Road Investment Strategyfor development of driverless & co-operativevehicle technologies.

Feb 2015: £19m - Driverless car trialsin Bristol, Coventry, Milton Keynes and Greenwich.

Mar 2015: £100m for Intelligent Mobility Programmeto research, develop and demonstrate autonomousand connected vehicle technologies.

Timeline of developments so far..

The Pathway to Driverless Cars

Main conclusions:

• “Driverless vehicles can legally be tested onpublic roads in the UK today”

• The UK is uniquely positioned to become apremium global location for the development ofthese technologies.

Actions for Government:

• A Code of Practice will be published in spring 2015for those wishing to test driverless vehicles on UKroads.

• Review and amend domestic regulations bysummer 2017 to accommodate driverless vehicletechnology.

• Liaise at an international level with an aim to amendinternational regulations by the end of 2018.

The Code of Practice

• A ‘Code of Practice’ is currently being drafted with input from keystakeholders.

• Recommendations are likely to include:• Test driver/operator present and able to take control at any time.• Test driver/operator should be trained/experienced with vehicle.• Testers must hold appropriate licence and insurance.• Vehicle should be fitted with an ‘event data recorder’.• Vehicle should be protected from unauthorised access (‘hacking’)• Vehicle technology proven on closed roads or test tracks

• Failure to comply with the Code of Practice could be considered anindication of negligence.

Government backed trials

Behavioural study

• Study being commissioned examining:– Effects of driverless vehicles on other drivers

/ road users– Interactions with pedestrians, cyclists, other

vulnerable road users– Social acceptance of introducing driverless

vehicle technology

• Government backed trials will also monitorpublic reaction to driverless vehicles

Deirdre O’Reilly

Head of Social & behavioural ResearchDepartment for Transportdeirdre.o’reilly@dft.gsi.gov.ukTelephone: +44 (0)20 7944 2044