Regulatory framework, research, innovation, smart infrastructure:
when it comes to autonomous transport, Europe has to intensify
its efforts in order to become the world leader. This is what the
European Parliament called for today in its adopted Report on
self-driving vehicles.
“The developments around autonomous driving are going very
fast. It is therefore important that the EU invests in
research and innovation, especially if we want to take the
lead in relation to our competitors such as the US, China and
Japan”, said Wim van de Camp MEP, the EPP Group’s Spokesman
for Transport and author of the initiative Report.
The Report stresses that the potential of automated vehicles
is becoming increasingly apparent in the logistics sector, in
public transport and also in other modes of transport. These
are not only autonomous vessels in inland waterway transport
and short-sea shipping, but also drones transporting goods
and automated light rail systems such as in urban public
transport.
“It is very important for Europe that there is an
internationally-standardised regulatory framework for
autonomous driving. This will ensure that the vehicles can
communicate intelligently and digitally and are
interoperable”, stated Wim van de Camp. “Since the relevant
legislation in the US, which is one of the EU’s competitors,
is blocked, Europe must seize the opportunity”, he added.
“Furthermore, real-life tests must also take place in order
to ensure that these vehicles run independently in the long
term and the infrastructure will have to be adapted.”
The Report does not forget to stress that public acceptance
of such vehicles needs to be reached. A prudent, yet
ambitious deployment and sufficient safeguards will play a
key role. “I believe it is a kind of revolution we can all
embrace. I want Europe to be one of the leaders in this
revolution”, Van de Camp concluded.
