Driverless vehicles national group welcomed

Australian deputy prime minister Michael McCormack’s move to establish the Office of Future Transport Technologies for the arrival of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and other emerging vehicle technologies has been welcomed by Australian Automobile Association (AAA).

Automated vehicles have potential to enhance Australia’s road safety and traffic management, and to deliver productivity and lifestyle benefits, the AAA says.

Leadership at the federal level will help manage the opportunities and challenges of this emerging technology – and ensure that it is deployed safely, the organisation adds.

It believes this federal leadership model should be extended beyond vehicle technology to encompass all elements of road safety.

The AAA says it has for some time been calling on the Federal Government to establish a national road safety organisation.

The recently completed Inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 made a clear call for stronger federal leadership in national road safety.

Establishing a national road safety entity and undertaking a National Road Safety Governance Review by March 2019 were key recommendations.

“The AAA fully supports the findings of the Inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy,” its chief executive Michael Bradley says.

“The inquiry has called for a road safety response that is proportionate to the scale of the problem.

“Every month, 100 people die on Australia’s roads.

“Every day, 100 people are hospitalised because of road accidents.

“Every year, road crashes cost the national economy more than $29 billion,” Bradley says.

“We look forward to the Australian Government’s formal response in Parliament to the inquiry’s report and its 12 recommendations.

“We again encourage the Government to urgently advance a National Road Safety Governance Review to scope the management structures, accountability requirements, resourcing and budget needed for a national road safety entity.”

Other inquiry recommendations include committing to a minimum $3 billion a year road safety fund and to key performance indicators on harm, making road safety a genuine part of business as usual within Commonwealth, state, territory and local government; resourcing key road safety enablers and road safety innovation initiatives, and implementing life-saving partnerships with other countries to reduce road trauma.

Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) also welcomes the Office of Future Transport Technologies news.

“As we move to an automated transport future, building consumer, industry and regulator confidence is key,” ANCAP chief executive James Goodwin says.

“Automated vehicle technology is no longer the future, it is in today’s new cars, and as the building blocks for full automation the establishment of a dedicated office shows national leadership and confidence.

“ANCAP is currently undertaking independent safety testing of Level 2 autonomous technologies including intelligent speed assistance, autonomous emergency braking and active lane-keep assistance,” he says.

“A dedicated office should concentrate on the regulatory and legal framework but also prioritise Australian testing and research capabilities.”