French connection to deliver Queensland’s first automated test vehicle
18 September 2018
Queensland Government:
Queensland will soon welcome its first
purpose-built
automated vehicle, following the signing of an
international agreement that will ensure the state is prepared for the
future.
Delivering the keynote address at last night's Australian Intelligent
Transport Systems Summit in
Sydney, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said on-road
testing of the automated vehicle was an integral part of
Queensland’s preparation for advanced vehicle technologies.
“Plans are underway to test vehicles with automated driving capabilities
as part of the Department of
Transport and Main
Roads’ Cooperative and Highly Automated Driving (CHAD) Pilot,” Mr
Bailey said.
“In early 2019, we will receive a Renault ZOE EV, a Society of
Automotive Engineers Level Four automated vehicle purpose built in
France for our CHAD pilot.”
A Level Four automated vehicle does not require the driver to take
action when the system is driving, but allows them to take back control
if needed.
A cooperative automated vehicle (CAV) can also connect with other
vehicles, infrastructure and road operations systems to share
safety-related messages and warnings.
Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government had partnered with the
Queensland University of
Technology (QUT) and iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre (iMOVE CRC)
to explore the safety impacts of automated vehicles on our roads, and to
allow road users to see and experience them.
“Through QUT’s partnership with VEDECOM, a French collaborative research
centre, we will test automated vehicle safety across five areas – roads,
roadsides, vehicles, road users and speeds,” Mr Bailey said.
“This will be the fourth vehicle prototype built by VEDECOM. It will be
both cooperative and able to operate in autonomous mode under certain
conditions.
“We’re doing this testing so we will be ready when vehicles with these
capabilities are widely available for Queensland road users.
“Preparation is key. We must ensure our road network, infrastructure,
legislation, regulation and licencing processes are aligned to support
to integrate automated vehicles with our transport network.”
“For Queenslanders, these rapidly developing vehicle technologies have
the potential to significantly reduce crashes and crash-related
gridlock, as well as reducing emissions and fuel use.”
Ian Christensen, iMOVE Australia managing director, said urgent
improvements to transport systems were needed to reduce congestion,
accidents and emissions.
“We are excited by the opportunities connected vehicle technologies
offer,” Mr Christensen said.
“iMOVE is proud to work with TMR and QUT to take this important step. We
are keen to prepare for the safe introduction of CAVs into our
networks.”
QUT Professor Andry Rakotonirainy said the project would enable QUT to
develop new methods of testing the validity of automated vehicles, and
to help ensure their safe interaction with other road users and road
infrastructure.
“Automated vehicles will disrupt our approach to mobility, as
smartphones did to communication. CAVs are an opportunity to increase
mobility access for all, while improving road safety and congestion,”
Prof. Rakotonirainy said.
The CHAD Pilot is part of the larger Cooperative and Automated Vehicle
Initiative (CAVI) being delivered by TMR.
The CAVI project will also include Australia’s largest trial of
Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems technologies, as well as an
investigation into options for using emerging technologies to benefit
pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders.
The CAVI project is co-funded by the Motor Accident Insurance
Commission, and will be delivered with the support of a number of
organisations including Ipswich City Council.
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Media Conact: Toby Walker, 0439 347 875
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