The Working Group of the World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) at the UNECE adopted the world's first global regulatory framework for fully unmanned automated control systems (text attached), marking an important milestone for autonomous vehicles after years of delayed expectations.
The new regulations (supported by OICA) establish agreed international requirements for the safety of vehicles equipped with automated control systems and provide a unified methodology for their approval, validation and monitoring. It is based on a safety-based approach that requires manufacturers to prove that their systems do not pose excessive risk and operate at least as safely as an experienced human driver. Key elements include proven safety management systems throughout the lifecycle, reliable testing through simulation, on-site and in real-world conditions, continuous monitoring during operation, reporting obligations, and data storage systems containing information about automated management that is relevant to safety.
This system covers a variety of use cases, from highways to urban environments, and is supported by leading automotive markets including the United States, China, the EU, Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom, creating momentum for its global adoption. Its adoption also helps to avoid disparate national regulations by providing clearer conditions for manufacturers to scale innovation, while at the same time strengthening public and regulatory confidence.
