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Vehicles with some self-driving features, including cars, coaches and lorries, could even operate on motorways in the next year, the government said, although users will need a driver’s licence to operate them on other roads.
Safety and the creation of thousands of jobs will be top priorities in the plans, which are backed by £100m of funding.
“This enables the UK to take full advantage of the emerging market of self-driving vehicles, which could create up to 38,000 jobs and could be worth an estimated £42bn,” a government announcement said today (19 August).
Of the funding, £34m will support research into safety and the development of more detailed legislation. This could include researching the performance of self-driving cars in poor weather conditions, and how they interact with pedestrians, other vehicles and cyclists.
A further £20m is aimed at kickstarting commercial self-driving services, enabling businesses to grow and create jobs in the UK. Successful projects could include self-driving grocery deliveries, the government said, or shuttle pods at airports. £6m will be used for further market research and commercialisation of the technology.
“Self-driving vehicles could revolutionise public transport and passenger travel, especially for those who don’t drive, better connect rural communities and reduce road collisions caused by human error,” the announcement said.
“Further in the future, they could, for example, provide tailored on-demand links from rural towns and villages to existing public transport options nearby. They could also provide more direct and timely services that enable people to better access vital services such as schools and medical appointments.”
The government also launched a consultation on a ‘safety ambition’ for self-driving vehicles to be as safe as a competent and careful human driver. This ambition would inform standards that self-driving vehicles need to meet. Manufacturers could face sanctions if standards are not met.
Self-driving legislation will build on existing laws, the government said, with manufacturers responsible for the vehicle’s actions when self-driving – meaning a human driver would not be liable for incidents related to driving while the vehicle is in control.
Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “This funding will help unlock the incredible potential of this industry, attracting investment, developing the UK’s growing self-driving vehicle supply chain, and supporting high-skill jobs as these new means of transport are rolled out.”
AA president Edmund King said: “The automotive world is changing rapidly and so the government is right to embrace the positive changes offered by this new technology and back it by funding research and putting forward legislation. Assisted driving systems – for example, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control – are already helping millions of drivers stay safe on the roads.
“It is still quite a big leap from assisted driving, where the driver is still in control, to self-driving, where the car takes control. It is important that the government does study how these vehicles would interact with other road users on different roads and changing weather conditions.
“However, the ultimate prize, in terms of saving thousands of lives and improving the mobility of the elderly and the less mobile, is well worth pursuing.”
The new laws will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows, the government said.
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