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The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles has opened a consultation on the framework for testing driverless vehicles in the UK.

The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) has published a call for evidence on how the UK test environment for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) can be improved. This follows the identification of CAVs as a top priority for the UK in the Queen’s Speech. The consultation will close on 31 July 2016.

CCAV is a joint policy unit of the Department for Transport, and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), and works closely with InnovateUK.

This call for evidence on the UK testing ecosystem for CAVs seeks to:

• Test, refine, and prioritise the ideal characteristics identified by the Centre’s study,
• Identify gaps in the current UK testing ecosystem,
• Identify opportunities to secure future competitive advantage,
• Consider the case for a flagship, large-scale, live urban test facility,
• Ask industry and academia to articulate what they want and need from the testing and demonstration landscape to attract and de-risk investment and ensure viability,
• Foster opportunities for collaboration across industry sectors, academia, local government, and network operators, and to inform development of compelling, industry-led propositions,
• Gather views on what government’s role could be in removing barriers, enabling, and accelerating the development of these technologies.

In order to set out the key components of a flagship test bed, the consultation also asks for evidence on what cyber and security standards should be expected from the industry, as well as asking for connectivity options for CAVs.

This consultation will help to identify the right settings for innovation and growth within the CAV industry, but there is still more work to be done over the next few years to convince the 65% of British motorists who believe a human should always be in control of a vehicle.

CCAV are already working to promote the CAV industry, and the CAV competition, which funds innovative projects in the industry via the BIS £100m intelligent mobility fund, is now gearing up for its second round. CCAV will be holding a series of workshops during June in order to fine-tune the competition to best address industry needs.

techUK are intending to submit a response to this consultation. If you would like to contribute, please get in touch with Aimee Betts-Charalambous and Charles Wood.