Framing of the Policy Concerning Automated Vehicles

Automated vehicles have changed the way people and goods move. This technology is growing fast in a world where change is inevitable. In fact, many vehicles today have computer assisted driving features that make them easy to operate. In addition, fully automated vehicles are being developed and tested by new entrants as well as traditional manufacturers. It is believed that these vehicles will be ready for our public roads in the next ten years or so. However, before they get to our roads there are a number of policy implications that the government has to consider in order to develop frameworks that will address any issues and interests that come up. The aim of this paper is to identify the potential technologies and the range of policies that must be used to come up with long-term policies. The goal is to provide policy makers with a platform to understand the challenges and opportunities that come with disruptive technology in addition to providing a framework and chart for which policy makers will follow.

Introduction

Ford model Ts began rolling out assembly lines in different cities and towns about a century ago. This led to a significant change in the way people work and play. While automobile technology had been around for decades not many people could have predicted how it would have shaped the world around cities, which led to consequent human behavior whereby people ended up building highways, parking lots and suburbs all that are because of a mass of vehicles. Today the same revolution seems to be around the corner with robotics and mechanics engineers expecting and anticipating a wide spread adoption of the automated car. The testing of fully automated cars was tested in January 1 2016 in Canada, which was the first step to testing and experimenting with this new technology. The pace at which this car will develop and be adopted is not easy to predict but one thing remains clear and that is the fact that fully automated vehicles are going to hit our roads in the coming few years. 

However, before this becomes a reality there are numerous questions that will have to be answered in order for these vehicles to be fully embraced and accepted. Concerns on how to adjust policy frameworks to fit these new technologies will have to be made. Currently some of the rules that help keep our roads safe include determining the age of the driver, the physical state at which a driver must be in before they are allowed to drive, without restrictions on who cannot drive and providing licenses for qualified drivers among other things. However, driver licensing provides a platform for debate if there is no more reliance on manual driving. The policy implications may be more than enhancing safety on our roads and liability or accident insurance. In fact, they may now include concerns on the environment, economic growth, privacy, productivity and public finance just to mention a few changes.

We may still be a long way from creating a driverless technology for the future but regulatory and other policy barriers could outweigh technological barriers. Failing to adopt a new framework will lead to increase of potential challenges that result from the new changes thus hindering the full realization of the benefits that the new technology is likely to bring. It is not realistic for us to preserve the status quo in this case. However, even with the realization that we need to make several policy changes, the government has to use the right approach as a way of responding to the significant turning point in technology. From the following discussion, policy makers will be able to understand automated vehicles in relation to the policy implications they make. These include the possible preparation of these vehicles for the road and their overall social, environmental and economic factors. It will provide the government with the necessary recommendations on how they are to move forward. 

History of the automated car development

The development of automated vehicles has changed what was thought to be possible only in fiction to a reality that is achievable. This rapid change is the reason why policy makers need to start making the necessary changes if they are to avoid being caught up by the consequences of an outdated policy. Currently a number of carmakers are continuously making automated cars and test driving them. Many car manufacturers are continuously developing fully automated vehicles. Fully automated vehicles have the ability to perform all functions from the time they are put in new gear to the time when they are parked. They are sometimes known as driverless or self-driving vehicles. They are guided by the use of sensors and software, which means that the driver need not control anything. In fact, it is anticipated that in future models the drivers does not have to be in the vehicle. A car crosses the line to being self-driven from being high tech when it passing the six level of automation. Most vehicles currently have improved features.

Applications from before

Currently a fully automated vehicle is being tested in the real world settings. This is common in industrial vehicles as seen through self-driving tractors. The cost of labor in mining oils and sand is increasingly becoming high with each passing day. This has led certain companies to invest heavily in trucks that will replace people in the field. In addition, to heavy duty trucks, the other industry that is championing the automated vehicles industry is the public transport sector where driverless buses will be introduced in the streets next year in Switzerland. Furthermore, city mobiles are also testing low speed driver less buses in different cities in the world. A Chinese buss company known as Yutong is also experimenting on the same fully automated vehicles before fully commissioning them for use. If self-drive automated vehicles are able maintain straight lanes and drive within expected speed limits then they are going to be easy to introduce into the public transport system.

It is possible to believe that industrial and transit set up will fully adopt the use of automated vehicles, it is not clear to settle on a specific path that these vehicles are likely to take. Commercial vehicles will have higher turnover as well as adoption of commercial setting which will be considered which will be considered under a different name than that of passengers driving vehicles. However, there is one hindrance associated with adoption of automated vehicles and that is cost. These vehicles are too expensive to produce thus not many people will be able to afford them. This means that this kind of vehicles will be out of reach for most people. However, with the advancement of technology and cheaper techniques being used, it will become more affordable with time.

Existing Policy

The current policy around automated vehicles today is unclear. Policy frameworks are built based on the concept of full manual control automobiles. They also have precise rules that regard following of expanses as well as hand points that have been established on the existing technology. There are rules documented in the Geneva Convention concerning driving which date back to more than a century ago. These rules guide drivers on what they ought to do. They direct drivers to be in control of their vehicle and guide his animals at all times. With this kind of rules, automated vehicles have no place within the regulations hence the need to alter some of these policies. The current problem with stray animals is that they can interfere with automated vehicles. None of the rules has room for a car that could be on the road without licensing and a driver to control it. This is one of the things that is already causing tension in most states, as it was not slotted in when making policies. Some states like in California rules have already been drafted that a person or driver must be available to control the vehicle. This development could hinder the advancements in technology as far as self-drive vehicles are concerned. By January 1st 2016 Ontario was among the few states in the US that have licensed a few pilot experiments of the automated vehicles on public roads. However, these pilot surveys involve the presence of a fully licensed driver and in some cases insurance coverage. 

The U.S National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it would develop an advisory guidance for this unique industry to serve as state policy governing the automated vehicle industry. In fact, the Obama administration proposed an investment of four billion dollars to help facilitate the test-drives through a ten-year period. UK also has a GBP 40 million that is geared towards supporting three pilot projects as part of the region ground testing. However, the drivers involved in these tests require licensing for them to be behind the wheel. The pilot experiment testing is increasing in number but most of this focus on safety concerns. This means that other issues are being ignored. These issues could encompass the impact on environment, economy and social wellbeing of individuals from the use of automated vehicles. It is important therefore for policy frameworks to be created in order to identify how these policies can increase opportunities and decrease challenges. 

In a study involving major US cities, it was discovered that only six percent of these cities had considered the possibilities of automated vehicles with regard to the impacts they have on the environment. What is clear though is the fact that the decisions being made today in planning, infrastructure and policy have a major impact on how the same technology will affect the lives of our communities today.

Implications of policies made

Automated vehicles have a potential transformative implication on a wide range of policy areas that exceed roads rules. Most of these impacts highly depend on how the technology evolves and how consumers adopt it. However, there are a number of instances where policy makers can influence the arrival of automated vehicles into their own planning. The ability of developing clear, sound and flexible frameworks for public policies in this area makes a major difference on whether or not automated vehicles can make significant economic, social and environmental benefits. Public policy plays a significant role in ensuring that automated vehicles finally get room on the roads despite the unpredictability of technological innovations and rate of consumer adoption. Public policy is instrumental in the overall adoption and acceptance of automated vehicles thus should not be taken for granted. There are different dimensions through which public policy plays a role.

Safety

This is one of the major areas that policymaking is significant. Road accidents are a major cause of civilian deaths in most countries. It is therefore crucial that any new technology that is allowed on public roads meets all the standards of safety to increase the chances of being accepted. Majority of these accidents can be attributed to carelessness and deliberate mistakes from drivers. It is the responsibility of the government through different governing organs to ensure that it puts in place rules and regulations that will ensure roads are safe for use by everyone. Research has proven that automation and improved technology has the ability to reduce accidents by a significant percentage. When properly regulated chances of crashing and collision are reduced. There will be automatic indicators for braking and other dangers that are likely to result. However, it can be a challenge for automated vehicles to work in the same roads that human drivers are. While automated vehicles follow their programming, human drivers tend to drive with their wit thus increasing the possibilities of accidents occurring. Such concerns need to be addressed before any automated self-driven vehicles are released into the public domain.

Accessibility

Eliminating the need for drivers could mean that automated vehicles will be able to reach more people especially whose physical disability or other challenge does not allow them to drive. There are people who are restricted from driving due to age barriers that automated vehicles could serve effectively. However, the biggest challenge for governments and regulators will be to expand this accessibility safely and without any unnecessary hindrance. Here is need to take time to formulate policies and principles that will ease the accessibility. Other challenges may include additional facilities such as wheel chairs for those who may need them. It is important for regulators to factor in all these aspects when planning and coming up with policies that improve accessibility through automated vehicles. Concerns on how the government can protect vulnerable individuals must be addressed. The bottom line should be to improve accessibility for all even those with special needs.

Conclusion

In the end, policy is important when maintaining safety standards. It is crucial for policy maker to be involved when making decisions and approving the introduction and use of automated vehicles. They come with numerous advantages but their benefits will be counterproductive when the necessary safety measures are not taken into consideration.