🕒 Article read time: 3 minutes
Will 2021 mark the dawn of driverless vehicles?
Incredible as it may seem, the sight of vehicles driving themselves along Britain’s motorways may become a common one in the very near future.
DfT ISSUES CALL FOR EVIDENCE
Driverless technology has long been a discussion point in the automotive and logistics industries and is frequently a popular topic in conferences about the future of transport. The reason that this technology has moved suddenly closer to being deployed on the public highway is that in August the Department for Transport issued a call for evidence into automated lane keeping systems (ALKS). This means that driverless vehicles could be legal on UK roads by as early as next spring.
KEEPING VEHICLES ON TRACK
Described by the government as a “traffic jam chauffeur”, ALKS can control both the lateral (left and right) and longitudinal (forward and back) movement of a vehicle without any input by the driver for an extended period of time.
As many HGV drivers know, lane assist technology keeps vehicles in lanes for extended periods, although drivers need to be ready to assume control of the vehicle. The law says that drivers must stay alert and be read to take back control immediately.
DELEGATED DRIVING
The technology for a vehicle to steer itself and remain in lane already exists, but ALKS differs from existing driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist or Tesla’s well-known “Autopilot”, in that it allows the driver to “safely delegate the driving task to the vehicle.”
CONGESTION CHAUFFEUR
The United National Economic Committee for Europe (UNECE) regulation that sets out the requirements for the safe operation of ALKS on public roads is expected to come into force in early 2021. This regulation limits the technology’s use to cars on motorways at speeds of up to 37mph, ie in traffic jams. However, as the UK is no longer a member of the EU there are flexibilities in what legislators decide. The call for evidence also seeks views on government proposals to allow the use of this system on British roads at speeds of up to 70mph in future.
MINISTERIAL BACKING
Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: “Automated technology could make driving safe, smoother and easier for motorists and the UK should be the first country to see these benefits, attracting manufacturers to develop and test new technologies. The UK’s work in this area is world leading and the results from this call for evidence could be a significant step forward for this exciting technology.”
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Automated technologies for vehicles, of which automated lane keeping is the latest, will be life-changing, making our journeys safer and smoother than ever before and helping prevent some 47,000 serious accidents and save 3,900 lives over the next decade.”
Published On: 08/10/2020 16:00:00
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Related item
More guidance needed for ADAS systems
While they may not be experienced with driverless vehicles, many HGV drivers are familiar with using Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which are becoming increasingly common on trucks. ADAS systems use automated technology, such as sensors and cameras, to detect nearby obstacles or driver errors.
However, the lack of available guidance on ADAS systems is leaving workshop staff and engineers unclear on effective maintenance practices and functionality checks, according to Logistics UK’s Engineering Forum. To provide standardised information for use on all commercial vehicles, the forum has launched the industry’s first generic ADAS guidance document.
Phil Lloyd, Head of Engineering Policy at Logistics UK, said: “ADAS is becoming increasingly more common on today’s trucks. However, there is very little guidance available from manufacturers or the authorities on how to check the functionality of these systems as part of a vehicle’s maintenance regime and/or safety inspections. Working with members of its Engineering Forum, Logistics UK has produced some simple guidance to assist those responsible for safety inspections, maintenance and repairs on commercial vehicles.
“Logistics UK would like to thank all the members who contributed to the guidance, as well as the SMMT for its reviews. The forum members hope this guidance will provide workshop staff with useful insights that will help them to ensure their vehicles’ ADAS systems are working effectively, providing engineering managers and transport managers with the confidence that their vehicles are maintained safely.”
www.logistics.org.uk/adasbriefingnote
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