Automated Vehicle Regulations Are Picking Up Speed
After reading the WEF Safe Drive Initiative Community Paper (Oct.2020) it is understandable why the United States would favor a voluntary approach as compared to Singapore that is taking a strong government controlled approach.
Between these two extremes are countries like Germany who are still allowing innovation to drive itself but are controlling safety by creating a harmonized approach to data acquisition, definition and labeling.
Engineering Standards Are Official Guidelines
From an engineering perspective there are the SAE-J3016, ANSI/UL-4600, ISO-26262, and ISO/PAS-21448 Standards for AV Design but these are industry-based and policy makers are being advised to only be aware of them and to not use engineering standards directly for regulations.
It is very clear that engineers are liable to comply with design standards and especially safety standards. That voluntary self-assessments of non-binding guidelines in place of regulated engineering standards for the sake of inspiring innovation has always proven a deadly road of travel.
Creating Regulations That Inspire Innovations
There is one common theme introduced in the paper, that this writer took specific note of, it is of course evaluating conditions at maximum speeds.
I may be getting ahead of myself but the use of the 10 Star Speed Safety Ratings System Sticker by the NHTSA in the Federal Register is a sure sign that the United States while still allowing industry to drive innovation is also on the path of creating a harmonized approach to data acquisition, definition and labeling.
Through the NCAP Division of the NHTSA the United States and in all countries using NCAP to rate safety features, we can set a common Governmental Regulatory Oversight that each State or Region can use as a base-line to ensure public safety.
Generating Public Involvement Web Tools
Also after reviewing the NHTSA AV TEST Initiative Tracking Tool Web Site, I must say it is impressively comprehensive and engaging.
I can understand why it too is starting out as a voluntary tool. Primarily it is a means that encourages participants to advertise what they are doing in what vehicles and where they’re testing.
However as this evolves and reporting and labeling become more in-line with NCAP, it would be expected that this tool will also become a major part of requirements for the regulatory system specifically for all types of AV Testing on public roads.
References:
World Economic Forum: Safe Drive Initiative: Community Paper: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_SafeDI_creating_safe_AV_policy_2020.pdf
AV Test Initiative: Test Tracking Tool: NHTSA Interactive Web Site: https://www.nhtsa.gov/automated-vehicles-safety/av-test-initiative-tracking-tool
10 Star Speed Safety Ratings System: NCAP Sticker Examples: http://www.devco-design.com/design/dot/stickers/10-Star-NCAP-Progressive-Stickers.pdf
