In testing, the safety of all persons involved is of primary importance, with processes, procedures, and appropriate measures implemented to ensure people are not knowingly put at risk.
Safety practices at traditional automotive proving grounds and test facilities are well established based on proven practice and experience with vehicle development. The development of ADS and ADS-operated vehicles have brought about the need for unique tests, methodologies, and testing environments compared to traditional vehicles and systems, adding further layers of complexity and additional hazards that must be accounted for when mitigating risk. To ensure test facility safety, when conducting testing and evaluations of ADS, different requirements, approaches, and considerations are necessary.
Test facility program/operations management play a key role in helping to maintain safety while conducting testing of ADS-operated vehicles. With the continued growth of testing conducted at test facilities, which are both dedicated to and modified to accommodate ADS testing, it is important that safety be designed-in to the infrastructure, process and procedures, as well as in the mindset of all those involved.