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32 Concluding Observations and Discussion Maxime Flament, ERTICO-ITS Europe, Brussels, Belgium overarChing themes Maxime Flament Maxime Flament offered his perceptions on the overarch- ing themes of the symposium, focusing on five general topic areas: moving ahead with tests and deployments, examining human factors issues, considering potential legal issues, addressing possible measurement impacts, and exploring evolving technology. Moving Ahead with Tests and Deployments Flament noted that the potential research topics iden- tified in all the use case scenarios included conducting test beds, field operation tests (FOTs), pilots, and model deployments. He suggested that the focus on moving ahead on multiple projects was reflected in the breakout group summaries for all three use case scenarios and noted that other common research topics included developing best practice guides and case studies for deployment. One topic that was not discussed, Flament observed, was analyzing available data from recent FOTs and pilots. He suggested that much can be learned from examining recent projects and sharing the results and that examin- ing data on truck platooning and truck following might be a productive starting point. He suggested that sharing information would help maximize available resources and ensure that efforts are not duplicated. Examining Human Factors Issues Flament noted that different facets related to human fac- tors were discussed in the breakout groups and suggested that developing a system that would be acceptable to users inside and outside vehicles appeared to be a key to addressing human factors issues. He observed that two human factors research topics identified by the breakout groups were (a) examining the humanâmachine inter- face for Level 3 and (b) examining interactions with vulnerable road users and developing a humanâmachine interface for pedestrians. The topic of safe stops was also noted by different breakout groups. He further sug- gested that examining available information on behav- ioral norms on a transatlantic basis would be beneficial. Considering Potential Legal Issues Flament noted that several of the potential research topics identified were associated with legal issues and outlined possible general categories for considering the potential legal issues associated with different facets of road trans- port automation. These categories included developing safe operating rules for different use cases and applica- tions and developing codes of practices for the devel- opment of automated vehicles. Flament suggested that lessons learned from the EU Response 3 activities and the code of practice for the development of automated vehicles were very beneficial. He noted that address-
33C O N C L U D I N G O B S E R V A T I O N S A N D D I S C U S S I O N ing a transatlantic code of practice would have similar benefits, even though there are different liability issues in the European Union and the United States. Develop- ing testing regimes that address verification, validation, and certification would also be beneficial, he said. Other legal topics to be addressed include minimum standards and performance measures, certification of the physical and the digital infrastructure, standards, liabilities, and licensing. Addressing Possible Measurement Impacts The fourth general topic area discussed by Flament was assessing the impacts of road transport automation. He suggested that developing a common methodology for conducting evaluations of socioeconomic impact repre- sented a possible parallel trans-America research activity. He further suggested that the recent work by the Volpe Center to develop an impact framework could serve as a starting point for this activity and would be of use in the European Union. Flament noted that the develop- ment of business models and evaluation approaches that could be used by cities and public authorities was also suggested in some of the breakout groups. Exploring Evolving Technology Flament observed that even with the rapid advance- ments in technology, there were still challenges associ- ated with technology. Some of the challenges identified in the breakout groups focused on the robustness of sensors and system components as well as the need for vehicle-to-vehicle and infrastructure-to-vehicle require- ments, technical requirements, digital map requirements, and identification of the value of data. He suggested that there were potential EU-U.S. collaborative activities in all of these topic areas. Comments from the Planning Committee anD oPen DisCussion The members of the symposium planning committee and all symposium participants had the opportunity to provide additional comments on the three use cases and overarching research topics to help advance road trans- port automation. Some of the comments reflected those provided previously during the breakout group summa- ries and open discussions on the three use case scenarios. Other comments reflected additional suggestions for research, FOTs and demonstrations, and ongoing com- munication and coordination. Several participants noted the importance of many of the potential research topics identified in the breakout group summaries, notably the following: ⢠Legal and regulatory issues; ⢠Policy implications; ⢠Technology readiness concerns; ⢠Human factors issues; ⢠Public acceptance; ⢠Definition of potential public- and private-sector roles and responsibilities; ⢠Development of business cases for why public agencies and local communities should invest in road automation; participants also noted that businesses will play important roles in developing and offering user ser- vices for different markets; ⢠Human factors issues at Level 3 automation; ⢠Potential risks; ⢠Infrastructure needs with different use scenarios; ⢠A code of practice for the various applications; and ⢠Identification of roadway certifications. Individual participants discussed different methods for transatlantic coordination and cooperation. Potential concerns about combining funding were noted. Main- taining separate projects in the European Union and the United States was suggested as a potentially viable approach, with the results to be shared through multi- ple methods. This approach was suggested for research, FOTs, and demonstration projects. Participants noted that although the political, legal, and organizational frameworks were different in the European Union and the United States, benefits could still be realized by con- ducting transatlantic projects. A few participants provided additional comments on FOTs, demonstrations, and pilots. Some suggested that the development and use of test beds might be appropri- ate. One participant suggested that the approach used in the pharmaceutical industry was a possible model to fol- low. Many participants suggested that moving forward with FOTs, demonstrations, and pilots of all sizes and sharing the results of these activities would be beneficial.
