Picture: James Tindale

Acting Chief Executive of the NTC Geoff Allan said on-road trials are an important step in ensuring that any automated system operates safely and efficiently in Australia.

“Developing a single and nationally-agreed set of guidelines would help promote Australia as a test bed for automated vehicles by providing consistent conditions for trials, while at the same time encouraging innovation,” Mr Allan said.

“The guidelines will also help support cross-border trials.

“By harmonising trial conditions and expectations across jurisdictions, governments can work with industry to further explore the potential economic, environmental and safety benefits of this technology.”

Ministers endorsed the development of trial guidelines for automated vehicles earlier this month, as part of the NTC report, Regulatory reforms for automated road vehicles policy paper.

Input into the guidelines can be provided until 4pm Monday 16 January 2017 via the NTC website.

In partnership with Austroads, the NTC will present recommendations on guidelines to transport ministers at the Transport and Infrastructure Council meeting scheduled for May 2017.

More information is available at http://www.ntc.gov.au/current-projects/preparing-for-more-automated-road-and-rail-vehicles/.