Translated with AI
The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29), operating under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), has approved the world's first regulatory framework for fully autonomous driving systems. The new regulations establish uniform international requirements for the safety and certification of such vehicles, according to the UN press service.
The UN notes that the document marks a significant milestone in the development of autonomous vehicle technologies. Although a rapid transition to driverless driving in the automotive industry was anticipated ten years ago, the widespread adoption of such vehicles has yet to materialize. The adoption of uniform international regulations is intended to create the necessary conditions for the industry's further development.
The new regulations are based on the principles of integrated safety management. They provide a unified approach to assessing the reliability of unmanned systems and are aimed at strengthening trust among governments, manufacturers, and the public.
The UNECE emphasized that harmonizing international requirements will eliminate disparate national standards. The organization believes this will provide manufacturers with clear legal frameworks, increase consumer confidence in new technologies, and create opportunities for the large-scale implementation of innovations. The new rules will come into force in approximately one month.
According to the adopted document, manufacturers will be required to implement a comprehensive safety management system throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. The document also establishes strict requirements for testing autonomous vehicles, including testing on proving grounds, in real-world road conditions, and using virtual simulations.
In addition, companies will be required to submit a so-called Safety Case, confirming that the autonomous driving systems they use do not create unreasonable risks for road users.
The new rules provide for continuous monitoring of the performance of driverless vehicles during operation, the preparation of safety reports, and the mandatory storage of data relevant to the analysis of vehicle performance.
Particular attention is paid to the performance requirements of automated control systems. According to the regulations, they must ensure a level of safety equal to or exceeding that of a competent human driver.
Because self-driving systems take over complete vehicle control, including steering, acceleration, braking, lighting, and signaling, manufacturers must prove to regulators that the design is robust, that it complies with traffic regulations, and that all systems operate effectively.
The developed regulatory framework covers various scenarios for the operation of driverless vehicles—from driving on highways to use in urban areas—and is aimed at advancing technology without compromising human safety.
The UN said the new rules had received support from the world's largest automotive markets, including the UK, the European Union, Canada, China, the US and Japan, indicating a commitment to their widespread international application.
At the same time, the World Forum WP.29 adopted amendments to approximately 90 existing UN regulations. These changes will allow existing technical standards to be applied to vehicles equipped with automated driving systems, including those without traditional controls such as a steering wheel and pedals.
The UNECE noted that updating the regulatory framework opens up additional opportunities for the development of new designs of fully driverless vehicles and the further development of the industry.
