Editorial

Automated-vehicle interests from around the globe had to sit up and pay attention in the first half of this year, as a couple of significant new actions kicked off what may be a new era for AV development. Not everyone's going to be happy - particularly those who've advocated for a “hands-off” approach to AV regulation and engineering.

In April, the European Union issued draft legislation for vehicles operating on public roads with some type of advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) or automated driving system (ADS). Wisely, the proposed legislation (found here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12152-Automated-cars-technical-specifications_en) divides the AV regulation into two distinct areas: performance requirements, which describe how an AV has to function under five defined traffic situations to receive so-called “type approval” to operate on public roads in Europe, and a “compliance assessment,” which defines how AVs will be evaluated, tested and audited in order to win approval for on-road operation.