The Industry, Innovations, Science and Resources Committee this morning tabled its report into the social issues relating to land-based driverless vehicles in Australia. The Committee found that public engagement is vital if the expected benefits of automated vehicles are to be realised in Australia.
The Committee heard about likely benefits and concerns regarding automated vehicles during its inquiry. Anticipated benefits include improved road safety outcomes, increased mobility and access for those unable to drive themselves, potential public transport applications and improvements to traffic congestion, urban design and use of time. However, concerns and unanswered questions remain about data security, safety ethics, legal liability and insurance, access for people in regional and rural Australia and the impacts on employment.
The report makes ten recommendations, including:
- that the Government facilitate and encourage trials of automated vehicles in Australia, with a particular focus on trials that enable members of the public to experience automated vehicles on public roads;
- that the National Cyber Security Strategy investigate automated vehicles (and associated transport systems) to address potential vulnerabilities relating to automation;
- that the Government establish a working party with industry and academic stakeholders to identify industry needs regarding the development of automated vehicles and support services, and implement a strategy to ensure that Australia is best placed to exploit emerging opportunities;
- that the Government considers how the needs of people with disability, older Australians and those in regional and rural areas can be met via automated vehicles;
- that the Government consider the merits of establishing either a dedicated national body or a cross-agency taskforce, in conjunction with state and territory jurisdictions and working with vehicle and software manufacturers, to coordinate Australia’s preparation for land-based automated vehicles and associated social issues.
Committee chair Michelle Landry MP said: “As so many of the Committee’s witnesses told us, people need to feel that automated vehicles are safe, that their privacy is safeguarded and that all legal questions are resolved before there will be general social acceptance of automated vehicles”, Ms Landry said.