Rural areas in Victoria, Australia will be testing cutting-edge automated vehicle technology this year, according to a recent press release.
This is the first on-road trial approved under the new Automated Driving System (ADS) permit scheme.
A$ 2.3 million from the Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Trial Grants Program was awarded to a multinational company as announced by the Acting Premier Jacinta Allan.
Moreover, the state’s first ADS permit for on-road testing of highly automated driving systems was also granted.
The state of Victoria was able to finalise regulations to support the ADS permit scheme last year. This authorises the use of automated vehicles for testing and development on the state’s roads.
Victoria is leading the nation in the future of on-road technology and this trial is an exciting step towards driverless vehicles hitting the road.
The multinational company is currently developing its automated vehicle technology and will begin testing on high-speed rural roads later in 2019.
The aim of the trial is to use the state-of-the-art technology to improve safety on rural Victorian roads.
Drivers are five times more likely to be killed in a crash in the rural roads than in metropolitan areas.
This tragic fact is why the state is rolling out a record roads investment in rural Victoria. Plus, this is another way that the government can improve safety and save lives.
The testing will be conducted on roads that expose the automated vehicle to a range of different conditions including traffic, weather and infrastructure.
It was in late 2017 when VicRoads called for expressions of interest from companies, industry bodies and other transport technology organisations to apply for funding to spur the development of these emerging technologies.
These emerging technologies will lead to reduced deaths and serious injuries. Other successful applicants will be announced soon.
The trials will support Victoria’s readiness for CAV technologies and the knowledge gained will provide a better understanding of the infrastructure required to get these vehicles on the road, maximising their safety benefits.
The community will not only benefit with the increased road safety but also gain from the high skilled jobs and more investment brought about by the trial.
The multinational company is a proud leader in vehicle safety systems and is eager to commence this trial with technologies that will show how they can improve road safety and reduce road trauma on rural roads.
The A$9 million Connected and Automated Vehicle Trial Grants Program is funded through the Andrews Labor Government’s A$ 1.4 billion Towards Zero Action Plan.