Background Guide:

Autonomous Vehicles

In cooperation with: Funded by: Horizon 2020 A project by:

Toulouse, France

07 - 09 July 2018

Final European Student Parliament

1

Autonomous Vehicles

Preface

Honourable delegates,

We warmly welcome you to the European Student Parliament. At this year’s conference the

topic will be the future of mobility. Mobility in a globalised world is not only important for

urban planning, but also for communication, economics, finance and many other sectors.

In the following handbook we will give you an overview of one of the five sub-topics which

will be discussed in Toulouse: Autonomous Vehicles

Mobility is revolutionised by the digitalisation of driving. Autonomous vehicle technology

promises to change road transportation by reducing car accidents, energy consumption,

pollution, and congestion and by improving transport accessibility. Each year, 1.2 million

lives are lost in traffic accidents around the world ̶ 94% of these crashes are caused by human

error. With autonomous vehicle technology, cars could become more intelligent, efficient and

react much faster than human drivers. The rapid development in technology and science is

hindered by the high costs of large-scale production. But with new technologies, new

questions regarding liability, cyber security and data privacy arise. If fully self-driving

vehicles are to keep their promises and gain public acceptance, they must be safe.

At the European Student Parliament, we want to discuss the opportunities and challenges of

autonomous vehicles in the context of mobility in a concrete way. Questions that could

provide a starting point for your discussions can be found in chapter number six of this

handbook. Your discussions both with your committee and during the expert hearing will be

the foundation for the resolutions that you will write to suggest European and global

guidelines for autonomous vehicles.

2

Table of Contents

Preface ........................................................................................................................................ 1

1 Autonomous Cars .................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Legal Status of Autonomous Cars .................................................................................... 4

2 General Regulatory Framework .............................................................................................. 5

2.1 Liability Issues ................................................................................................................. 5

2.2 Cyber Security and Data Privacy ..................................................................................... 6

3 Other Autonomous Transportation Systems ........................................................................... 6

4 Current Situation ..................................................................................................................... 7

5 The Future of Mobility .......................................................................................................... 10

6 Guiding Questions ................................................................................................................. 11

7 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 11

Figure 1: The Five Levels of Autonomous Driving, European Parliament, 2016. .................... 3

Figure 2: Conditions for a successful implementation of AV, KPMG International, 2018. ...... 8

Figure 3: Index results, KPMG International, 2018. .................................................................. 9

Figure 4: The interactions of transport, Kane/Whitehead, 2018. ............................................. 10

3

1 Autonomous Cars

The automobile industry defines autonomous driving as “the capability of a car to drive partly

or fully by itself, with limited or no human intervention” (European Commission 2017: 2). In

order to regulate autonomous cars, there is a need to classify the different types of those cars.

In 2014 the Society of Automotive Engineers defines six levels of autonomous driving. Each

level varies in the influence of the automation and the driver (European Parliament 2016: 3).

In order to drive safely a human driver or a self-driving vehicle must answer four questions:

“Where am I?” (perceiving the environment around you), “What’s around me?” (processing

that information), “What will happen next?” (predicting how others in that environment will

behave), and “What should I do?” (making driving decisions based on that information)

(Waymo 2017: 8). In an autonomous vehicle, sensors take care of the first question,

perceiving the environment, including other vehicles, pedestrians, obstacles and traffic

controls such as road signs and traffic likes. A computer processes the information, makes

predictions about the behaviour of other vehicles and makes driving decisions.

Figure 1: The Five Levels of Autonomous Driving, European Parliament, 2016.

Level 0: No Automation (already deployed). The vehicle may provide warning or

intervention systems (such as speed limiting), but the human driver manages all

driving tasks.

4

Level 1: Driver Assistance (already deployed). The automated system can assist the

human driver during steering or engine acceleration/deceleration (for example park

assist).

Level 2: Partial Automation (already deployed). While the human driver monitors

the driving environment and handles the driving, the automated system can conduct

some steering and acceleration/deceleration (for example traffic jam assist).

These first three levels of automated driving systems monitor the driving environment

whereas the second three involve the vehicle making decisions based on this monitoring.

Level 3: Conditional Automation (already developed). Conditional automation

requests the human driver if a driving task or the driving environment is too difficult

to handle for the information system. The driver must be ready to retake the control of

the vehicle and possibly has to intervene the ride (for example traffic jam

chauffeur).The autonomous features will be included beginning 2019.

Level 4: High Automation (in development for public use). High automation vehicles

can drive and monitor road conditions. There is no need for the human driver to take

control. However, the system can only operate in specific conditions and environments

(for example on highways like a highway pilot)

Level 5: Full Automation (in development for public use). Full autonomous vehicle

can perform all road-monitoring and driving tasks during driving in all weather

conditions and in city traffic by itself. In most cases there is no steering wheel, or

accelerator and brake pedals or remote control (European Parliament 2016: 3-5).

1.1 Legal Status of Autonomous Cars

The foundation of international road traffic regulations is the Vienna Convention of 1968

which established standard traffic rules among the contracting partners to increase road safety.

The following regulations from Article 8 of the convention impede the implementation of

autonomous vehicles:

(1) Every moving vehicle or combination of vehicles shall have a driver.

(5) Every driver shall at all times be able to control his vehicle … . (Economic Commission

for Europe 1968: 11).

5

The fundamental principle in this article is the approach that the driver has to fully control the

vehicle and is responsible in the event of an accident.

The convention defined the term “driver” as follows: “Driver” means any person who drives

a motor vehicle or other vehicle (including a cycle), or who guides cattle, singly or in herds,

or flocks, of draught, pack or saddle animals on a road; (Economic Commission for Europe

1968: 6).

Every member of the European Union is a signatory of the convention except Spain and the

United Kingdom. However, even in the United Kingdom the status of fully autonomous cars

remains unclear, as it is obligatory to keep your hands on the wheel while driving. Regulators

and the developers of new autonomous technologies have to deal with these definitions. Can a

computer be a driver? Under the definition of the convention it is stated that “any person”

could be a driver. Are computers legal persons? Fully autonomous cars (level 5) are not

permitted to drive on public roads in any European country so far. It is even difficult for

companies to test those cars, as they are only allowed on private test routes in Europe. Article

8 of the Vienna Convention was edited in 2014 by the amendment: “systems which influence

the way vehicles are driven”, which like other systems which can be overridden or switched

off by the driver, are considered to be in accordance with Article 8. However, there is the

need for a further amendment of the convention to make fully autonomous vehicles compliant

(European Parliament 2016: 6).

2 General Regulatory Framework

In the regulation of automated vehicles, liability issues, cyber security and data privacy are of

enormous importance.

2.1 Liability Issues

The issue of liability for traffic accidents in which autonomous vehicles are involved is one of

the main problems associated with autonomous vehicles. What happens if the cars have

malfunctions? Who is responsible for damages when a fully autonomous car is involved in an

accident? According to the Directive on liability for defective products (Council Directive

85/374/EEC) of the European Union, a manufacturer is liable for any damage caused by a

defect in their product, for example by not providing the safety standard which the consumer

expected. However, there is currently no framework in place harmonising the rules on liability

for damages caused by accidents in which motor vehicles are involved. With the automation

6

of cars, it might be difficult to establish the exact cause of an accident and to prove whether it

is due to a vehicle defect or the behaviour of the driver. Liability laws will need to be updated

in response to new technologies (European Commission 2017: 5).

2.2 Cyber Security and Data Privacy

Most automated vehicles have an in-vehicle communication system that can communicate

with the manufacturer’s servers and often also with other vehicles. This communication can

be critical for safety, e.g. predicting if another vehicle is going to stop or turn. Passengers

may also use entertainment and information networks during travel. These co-exist with

automotive control networks, which are developed, implemented and managed by the vehicle

producer. The connected car has the ability to generate, store and transmit users’ personal

data, especially their route to work, time of driving, favourite music, appointments or

favourite restaurants. Hacking an autonomous vehicle’s control system could compromise not

only the privacy of passengers but also safety if the hacker could gain control over (or

interfere with) driving functions. Therefore, cyber security of autonomous vehicles is

increasingly important and it is crucial to prevent hackers from gaining control over basic

driving functions and personal data from the system. The connection between the

manufacturer’s central server and the in-vehicle system has to be secure, to ensure that no

third party has unauthorised access to the vehicle data. The European Automobile

Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has agreed on principles of data protection in relation to

connected vehicles and services (European Parliament 2016: 9).

3 Other Autonomous Transportation Systems

While fully autonomous cars are still being tested, there are many different types of

autonomous vehicles which are already in use.

Trains and Metros: While the car industry talks about a future with autonomous

vehicles, the railways are already operating them. Around one billion people in Europe

were transported by automated metros in 2015 (Allianz pro Schiene 2016).

Buses: An autonomous bus is making its first public journeys on part of Europe's

longest Bus Rapid Transit route in the Netherlands, which is only permitted for those

buses. The bus can communicate with traffic lights and recognise obstacles and

pedestrians (Daimler AG 2018).

7

Trucks: Currently multiple companies are testing self-driving trucks. However, there

is still the need for a human driver who can intervene (Freedman 2017).

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones): Drones are aircraft without a human pilot

aboard, which are guided autonomously or by a remote control. The drones currently

used by the military require partial control by a remote operator. Before aerial vehicles

can operate in a fully autonomous fashion using sensors combined with algorithms,

more research is needed. In some countries the legal status of drones, especially of

privately owned drones in public space, is not regulated (Kumari 2016: 16761).

Boats: Some technologies for autonomous boats already exist. However the

technologies have not yet been combined reliably and cost effectively. More

development will be necessary before commercial applications can be considered.

Automated solutions for the last mile currently being tested include autonomous shuttle buses

and taxis that bring passengers from the nearest train station or bus stop to their houses.

4 Uptake of Autonomous Vehicles

Theoretically, automated Vehicles could prevent 90-95 % of road accidents which are caused

by human error – assuming that the automated systems do not make these errors. If the

autonomous vehicles are also electric, they could reduce air pollution released by road traffic

and therefore, improving citizens’ health. People who are unable to drive by themselves –

including the elderly and those who do not own a car and live in an area with inadequate

public transport – could be more mobile if they had access to autonomous vehicles. From an

economic perspective, a driver who becomes a passenger can use their time more efficiently,

for example if they work during the ride.

If autonomous vehicles could have so many positive effects, why is their adoption on our road

systems so difficult? This depends on four key factors described by the Autonomous Vehicles

Readiness Index which consists of four pillars:

Policy and Legislation: quality of regulations for autonomous vehicles; whether the

country has established an autonomous vehicle department within the government’s

transportation department; government investment in relevant infrastructure and

pilots; and the general effectiveness of the government and legal system.

8

Technology and Innovation: research capacity, including the presence of research

hubs and partnerships with industry, the presence of relevant technology firms,

patents and investment, market share of electric cars, and the presence of companies

eager to integrate autonomous vehicles into their business model.

Infrastructure: density of electric vehicle charging stations, quality of the

communications network, quality of roads.

Consumer acceptance: population living in test areas for autonomous vehicles,

consumer acceptance of autonomous vehicles, and civil society technology

acceptance.

Figure 2: Conditions for a successful implementation of AV, KPMG International, 2018.

Which countries have invested the most in autonomous vehicles? And which countries are

ready for these vehicles to use their roads? The following data compares 20 countries based

on progress in adopting autonomous vehicles. There is a high correlation between the index

rankings and overall economic development. The countries that are most ready to adopt

autonomous vehicles all have supportive governments, excellent road and communications

infrastructure, private-sector investment and innovation, and large-scale testing of the

technology.

9

The most ready countries are the Netherlands followed by Singapore and the United States

(KPMG International 2018: 42-52).

Figure 3: Index results, KPMG International, 2018.

10

5 The Future of Mobility

Figure 4: The interactions of transport, Kane/Whitehead, 2018.

Four trends that will become relevant in the future of mobility are:

Electric vehicles powered by renewable energy, could reduce the cost of transport and

fossil fuel emissions and eliminate the significant impacts of pollution on public health

and the environment.

Shared vehicles could reduce transport costs and traffic as well as the space required

for parking privately-owned vehicles, since fewer vehicles would be required.

Autonomous vehicles could reduce traffic accidents and congestion, and increase

mobility, especially for those who do not drive.

Increasing urban density could bring significant economic benefits through growth

and efficiency gains when people and businesses are closer together.

All of these trends should be positive. However the interplay between these four trends could

also lead to negative outcomes. For example, if policy fails to support and manage a shift

away from private vehicle ownership towards car-sharing, several negative impacts are likely.

11

In this scenario, electric cars will be cheaper to run and still privately owned. This could

encourage more people to drive and create more traffic. The convenience of self-driving cars

with low operating costs might also encourage a shift away from traditional public transport,

leading to more traffic and more space used for road vehicles and parking.

Each of these four trends could independently yield many benefits. However, an examination

of possible nightmare scenarios reveals that, without holistic planning and policy support for

all four disruptions, negative consequences could follow. Planners and policymakers must

consider how these disruptions will interact (Kane/Whitehead 2018).

6 Guiding Questions

What role will autonomous vehicles play in future transport systems?

How should they be regulated?

Should manufacturers be liable for accidents or the owners of the vehicles? How should

insurance be managed?

How can they be integrated into existing transport systems?

How should autonomous vehicles interact with other traffic?

In an accident between a human driver and an autonomous vehicle, who is at fault?

Should there be limits on what information about passengers should a vehicle manufacturer

can collect, store and sell to other companies?

Who is responsible for updating infrastructure like traffic lights or parking to suit autonomous

vehicles?

Would you send your own child to school in an autonomous vehicle?

7 Bibliography

Allianz pro Schiene (2016): One billion travellers on Europe’s automated metro systems. Retrieved 13

March 2018 from: https://www.allianz-pro-schiene.de/en/pressemitteilung/overview-automated-

metro-systems-europe/.

Daimler AG (2018): The Mercedes-Benz Future Bus. The future of mobility. Retrieved 14 March 2018

from: https://www.daimler.com/innovation/autonomous-driving/future-bus.html.

12

Economic Commission for Europe (1968): Convention on Road Traffic. Retrieved 02 March 2018

from: https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/conventn/crt1968e.pdf.

European Commission (2017): Autonomous cars: a big opportunity for European industry [Report].

Retrieved 02 March 2018 from: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-

databases/dem/monitor/sites/default/files/DTM_Autonomous%20cars%20v1_1.pdf.

European Parliament (2016): Automated vehicles in the EU [Briefing]. Retrieved 02 March 2018 from:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/573902/EPRS_BRI(2016)573902_EN.pdf

Freedman, David (2017): Self-Driving Trucks. Retrieved 14 March 2018 from:

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603493/10-breakthrough-technologies-2017-self-driving-

trucks/.

Kane, Michael; Whitehead, Jake (2018): Utopia or nightmare? The answer lies in how we embrace

self-driving, electric and shared vehicle. Retrieved 13 March 2018 from:

https://theconversation.com/utopia-or-nightmare-the-answer-lies-in-how-we-embrace-self-driving-

electric-and-shared-vehicles-90920.

KPMG International (2018): Autonomous Vehicles Readiness Index. Retrieved 14 March 2018 from:

https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/xx/pdf/2018/01/avri.pdf.

Kumari, Priyanka (2016): Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) [Journal]. In International Journal Of

Engineering And Computer Science, Volume 5 Issues, Page No. 16761-16764. Retrieved 23 February

2018 from: http://ijecs.in/index.php/ijecs/article/view/1910/1765.

Waymo (2017): Waymo Safety Report. On the Road to Fully Self-Driving. Retrieved 13 March 2018

from: https://storage.googleapis.com/sdc-prod/v1/safety-report/waymo-safety-report-2017.pdf.