Automated mobility action package (2019-2022)
Automated mobility holds great potentials: increased traffic safety, increased traffic efficiency and therewith a contribution to CO2 reduction as well as tremendous possibilities for the economy. That is why the development and implementation of innovative technologies – such as self-driving vehicles as well as trains or drones – are being worked on around the world. This development is accelerated by the increasing use of information and communication technologies in the traditional automotive sector. New players are increasingly pushing themselves to the fore – with partly considerable advances. For that reason, it is vital for the public sector to generate social benefits by means of a targeted use of resources. Therefore, learning from tests and pilot projects in the scope of clearly defined cases of application (use cases) and areas of application as well as the development of new forms of mobility constitute an important focal point in Austria even today. Accordingly, the government programme 2017-22 has set out to make Austria into a pioneering country and consequently also into a research, development and production location for automated driving in close cooperation with the automotive industry and research. Above all exiting test tracks and research projects will be further promoted on the part of the BMK.
In the scope of the first Automated-Connected-Mobile Action Plan (2016-2018), legal framework conditions have already been established, test environments and a variety of research projects have been promoted since 2016. Whereas the achievable potentials were important then, a sensible use in terms of traffic has priority for the new Automated Mobility Action Package (2019-2022). Test reports and experience from current tests and projects illustrate that the technological development will not be completed tomorrow and a good roll-out can only be made possible with formative framework conditions by the public sector. With the new action package, the BMK mainly seeks to ensure a sensible and efficient use of automated mobility in terms of traffic as well as to strengthen Austria’s competitive position on the international stage. First and foremost, it is about liveable public spaces and ensuring a sustainable and climate-friendly mobility system.
Guiding principles around the topics of safe operation, systemic access, responsibility, impact assessment and data handling were developed together with over 300 experts involved. In the three fields of action: transparent information, ensuring a safe test and standard operation as well as gathering experience and learning lessons, 34 specific measures are planned for the next years. The continued adaptation of the legal framework, the development of domestic competencies by research and development as well as a more powerful role of the public sector in the shaping of the future use of automated mobility are of vital importance.
The current technological trends such as digitisation, e-mobility and social developments such as different sharing models will seriously change the way we travel. All these developments have a significant impact on our society and provide opportunities for road safety, the environment and last but not least for Austria as a business location with all the associated jobs. Automated driving is thus part of a long-term transport policy that always focuses on the people.