Commonwealth driverless vehicles national group welcomed

This story first appeared in the October issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Moves by Australia to establish the Commonwealth Office for Future Transport Technologies for the arrival of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and other emerging vehicle technologies has been welcomed by the Australia & New Zealand Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI).

It’s the next step to deliver the safe and successful introduction of driverless vehicles onto the roads, ADVI executive director Rita Excell says.

“ADVI, on behalf of its 127 industry partners, has long advocated for this type of Commonwealth-led approach,” she says.

“And we congratulate Michael McCormack on his leadership in recognising the need for a dedicated office to fully realise the array of safety, employment and broader economic benefits on offer.

“The size of the prize is significant.
With every state and territory in Australia having had or running a trial of automated vehicle technologies, it is imperative that all levels of government work together to ensure a consistent, sustained and well-planned introduction of these technologies across our road and public transport networks.”
Excell says a great deal remains to be done across aspects of insurance, liability, infrastructure readiness, import approvals and community acceptance.

ADVI looks forward to working collaboratively with the new office to address these gaps, she says.

ADVI also welcomes an A$9.7 million investment announcement, which will build on the commitments already under way from ADVI partners, who, through ADVI’s 2018 Economic Uplift Survey responses, revealed that they intend to invest up to $10m each in the autonomous vehicle industry in the next five years.

The Commonwealth Office for Future Transport Technologies move also pleases the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

“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.”
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 A$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.