Working to harmonize global standards for autonomous cars

Working to harmonize global standards for autonomous cars

Regulation of autonomous vehicles is not just an issue for various levels of government in this country. Nations around the world are grappling with the same questions, and it is important for them to keep up with each othersê actions. MobilityTalks International presented a panel to help regulators exchange ideas at the Washington Auto Show Industry/Media Days last week.

Yukihiro Ezaka, head of engineering policy for the Japanese Road Transport Bureau, told the MobilityTalks audience that –Japan does not want to impede autonomous vehicles with too many regulations.” The Transport Bureau is creating test areas around Japan for the vehicles, and the Ministry of Transport is working with related government agencies to integrate future regulations into the current regulatory framework, Ezaka said.

Japan is trying to create standards in coordination with the United Nations and is working with Great Britain and Germany. Jeong-ryeol Kim, Korean minister of Infrastructure and Transport, and Ian Yarnold, head of standards in Great Britainês Department of Transport, spoke of similar efforts in their countries.

The Great Britain Department of Transport is still refining the technical criteria to bring these vehicles to market, said Yarnold. Liability is still an issue in the UK, as it is everywhere, he said.

Another topic being discussed in the UK according toYarnold –How will [autonomous] vehicles interact with pedestrians and cyclists in urban environments?”

In a joint Q&A with the morningês speakers from earlier panels, National Science Foundation director France Crdova talked about the opportunities with millennials and autonomous cars. Many millennials live in cities and donêt drive, she noted, but instead are used to being driven by ride-hailing companies such as Uber or Lyft.