AVSC Best Practice for ADS Remote Assistance Use Case

Automated driving system-dedicated vehicles (ADS-DVs) can handle a wide variety of circumstances they might encounter on the road. When circumstances are encountered that exceed ADS design capabilities, the ADS is designed to bring the vehicle into a minimal risk condition (MRC). When an ADS-DV encounters these conditions—identified as “triggers” within this best practice—they can request remote assistance (RA) from a remotely located human operator. RA involves the provision of guidance, suggestions, or recommendations to a vehicle from a remote location, without direct control of the vehicle. RA has emerged as a useful tool in supporting the operation of an ADS. It can complement the capabilities of ADS-DVs and improve overall system performance and utilization, particularly in situations that exceed ADS design capabilities.

This best practice provides guidelines for integrating remote assistance within the context of ADS. It describes the distinct functions and tasks of RA, aims to clear the confusion between remote assistance and remote driving, and makes suggestions on training to be considered. In addition, this document presents a high-level process of implementing RA, gives examples of triggers that may prompt RA when ADS design capabilities have been exceeded, and illustrates a non-exhaustive list of possible data elements that may be used to provide assistance to the ADS.

By having a clear understanding of the nature, function, and scope of the RA, ADS developers and operators can help to ensure that RA is safer, more reliable, and more effective in ADS-equipped vehicles.