Automated vehicle (AV) technology is the single biggest disruption to the mobility sector since the invention of motor cars.
The RAC Intellibus® and Intellicar trials are not a pursuit of technology for technology’s sake, but a commitment to ensure AV technology can be applied to solve urban and regional mobility challenges in Australia.
By working together with our partners to deliver the trials as part of our Automated Vehicle Program, we’re moving closer to readying Australia for the safe transition to automated vehicles and our future world of safer, easier and cleaner mobility.
AV technology could deliver many benefits, including improved mobility and independence for many, as well as reduced crash risk and severity by removing human error from the driving task. Increasing automation also raises many potential considerations that need to be explored.
We want to ensure our community, industry and government alike have an opportunity to experience an automated vehicle in a ‘live’ traffic environment while the technology remains in the early stages of development.
Trial aims
Through these purposeful trials RAC aims to:
Increase understanding about the potential impacts and opportunities from the advent of AV technology;
Give Australians the chance to see, use and experience AV technology;
Further help Australia prepare a roadmap for changes to support and safely transition to AV technology; and
Acquaint Western Australia with the concept of shared 'mobility delivered as a service' via AV technology.
A well-defined roadmap for how we plan for, and manage the challenges of regulating AV technology has never been more important to ensure their safe transition onto our roads and maximise their contribution as part of an integrated transport system.
Measuring progress
RAC has shared a range of learnings through submissions to Government and industry, and we continue to engage with stakeholders to better prepare for the safe transition of automated vehicles onto our roads.
RAC undertakes surveys to understand what the WA community knows, thinks and feels about automated vehicles. Likewise, we invite trial participants to provide feedback on their experience in pre and post-ride surveys.
During each ride our Chaperones complete reports which describe each journey, including any mechanical or software issues and unexpected traffic interactions.
These activities are allowing us to gain invaluable insights in helping to understand the potential opportunities and impacts of the technology.
For further information on our submission responses please visit our reports page.
Vehicle automation levels
Many cars, particularly new models, already have automated vehicle features and some experts predict the widespread release of automated vehicles is just a few years away. Simply put, vehicles are more automated the less the driver has to intervene when driving.
Such built-in features which are already available, assist the driver in cases where they may need to avoid a crash by warning them, and in some cases, helping the driver brake or steer when they don’t react quickly enough. Some of these features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear-view video system, lane departure warning, blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control.
According to industry standards, there are 6 levels of automation from Level 0 (No Automation), to Level 5 (Full Automation) where the vehicle can perform all driving functions and other than setting the destination, no driver intervention is required.
Levels of automation according to SAE international
