Independent examiner in trials with automated vehicles

The Swedish Transport Agency's regulations and general advice on permission to conduct trials with automated vehicles have recently been changed. The change consists in the fact that a general advice has been added that the companies' own risk assessment should in some cases be supplemented with a statement from independent examiners about the road safety of the trial. However, there is no guidance on when a statement is needed and what it should cover.

Expected goals

The goal of the case is to generate solutions by clarifying and exemplifying the application and scope of independent review in pilot operations. The project will bring together relevant actors from the automotive industry, potential auditors and relevant authorities regarding the application of independent auditors. The aim is to bring in different perspectives and find possible ways forward through policy dialogue to drive the development towards automated transport solutions as part of the mobility of the future.

In 2017, the regulation on experimental activities with automated vehicles was introduced in Sweden. The regulation enables trial operations with automated vehicles and clarifies the circumstances under which it is reasonable to conduct trials with such vehicles. This project builds on experience the parties have gained by applying for and conducting trials of automated vehicles on public roads. We are also building on the knowledge and working methods that have been developed in the PLATT project (Policy Lab for Autonomous Transport Services). The project aimed to harmonize the permitting process for automated vehicle trials and identified a third-party opinion as a possible strategy to address identified challenges. In addition to this, we will involve knowledge from other transport areas and countries with solid experience in independent review in trial operations.

Implementation and expected results

The work will mainly be conducted through workshops and in-depth conversations with relevant actors. Through the workshop format, the various actors get the opportunity to meet in a neutral place to exchange experiences and perspectives. In a co-creative process based on Design Thinking principles, we address specific questions regarding what an independent review might look like in practice and proposed solutions are developed jointly by the participating stakeholders. The project will have a close collaboration with Drive Sweden's theme area policy development for discussion on how lessons can be generalized and spread.

The result can be guidance for market participants, authorities and auditors and basis for a statement by focusing on:

• What requirements and acceptance criteria apply to a statement by an independent auditor. When exactly is a statement needed and what should the statement cover.
• The Swedish Transport Agency's and the transport industry's processes for risk assessment.
• Lessons learned and guidelines on independent review (internationally from e.g. Informal Working Group on Validation Methods for Automated Driving (VMAD) and other industries).
• Main requirements and expectations for the road safety assessment (the most important factors in the safety assessment for automated vehicles).
• Necessary competence and independence of reviewers. Importance of independent review for market introduction

Take part in projects final presentations