Autonomous tech trials underway by NSW government

The NSW state government is in the process of trialling autonomous vehicle technology in order to better understand operating procedures in live traffic.

The trials, currently underway around the Sydney Orbital Network until October this year, have been organised in conjunction with toll-road operator Transurban in order to better understand 'on-the-fly' decisions made by road-legal 'level two' autonomous vehicles across varying conditions.

Implemented across a diverse level of road environments, the tests allow the NSW government to observe how the vehicles interact with roadworks, electronic speed signs, and line markings; effectively providing a window on where Sydney roads need to be more 'autonomously friendly' before driverless tech becomes more widespread.

Brands including Lexus, Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, and Volvo have partnered with the state government's trials, offering their latest cars for morning, afternoon, and night evaluation.

For safety reasons, drivers were required to have at least one hand on the wheel at all times.

Spokesperson for Lexus Australia, Nick Raman, commented on the trials, stating: "Lexus is pleased to collaborate with Transurban on this very worthwhile initiative. We are committed to complementary technologies with a focus on driver-in-control."

While each vehicle has its own individual systems that work in unison, most of the vehicle data comes from three areas of low-yield automation: lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition.

Despite each vehicle having its autonomous system(s) fully activated along a 110-kilometre test loop, the test drivers are requested to have at least one hand on the wheel at all times.

Transport for NSW's senior public affairs advisor for road safety, Alistair Adams-Smith, stated: "This automated vehicle trial in partnership with Transurban will help develop an understanding of how to prepare road infrastructure and the community for the integration of automated vehicle technology into our transport system.

"Eventually, we do anticipate highly automated ‘driverless’ vehicles will be legal ... but before that can happen, a lot of work will need to take place including trials and appropriate regulatory reform."

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