China Accelerates Commercialization of Autonomous Driving Technology in Transportation Sector
China is making significant strides in the commercialization of autonomous driving technology in the transportation sector. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and big data, autonomous driving has become increasingly prevalent in China’s transportation industry. The Ministry of Transport has recently issued a trial safety guideline, marking the first time that China has explicitly stated that intelligent connected vehicles can be used for commercial transportation.
The autonomous driving industry in China has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, accompanied by an expanding market. The country currently boasts 17 national-level autonomous driving demonstration zones and 7 national-level pilot zones for intelligent connected vehicles. These zones have opened up over 22,000 kilometers of roads for testing, accumulating a total test mileage of over 70 million kilometers.
Cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen have implemented policies allowing autonomous vehicles to engage in commercial trial operations, including urban public transportation, taxi services, and logistics delivery. The scale of application continues to expand in these cities. Meituan, a Chinese shopping platform, is utilizing autonomous delivery vehicles to fulfill thousands of daily orders in Beijing’s Shunyi district.
Furthermore, Wuhan, located in central China’s Hubei province, has launched 300 unmanned vehicles since introducing a fully driverless robotaxi service in August 2022. This service caters to a population of over 4 million people. Currently, there are over 200 autonomous city buses, more than 1,500 autonomous taxis, and approximately 1,000 autonomous trucks operating nationwide. Baidu’s Apollo autonomous driving platform has accumulated a test mileage of over 78 million kilometers, serving transportation needs in over 10 cities.
Safety is a paramount concern in autonomous driving, and the trial safety guideline addresses this issue comprehensively. It establishes a safety assurance system that encompasses areas such as safety production, transportation safety protection, operational status management, vehicle monitoring, safety notification, and emergency response. The guideline also introduces the concept of a security inspector responsible for overseeing the safe operation of an autonomous vehicle, whether in-cabin or remotely.
Li Bin, Deputy Director of the Research Institute of Highway under China’s Ministry of Transport, emphasized that the guideline takes into account the various commercial models of autonomous driving. It provides regulations regarding the allocation of safety personnel, skills, and qualifications for different transportation operations. For fully autonomous taxis, the guideline allows for remote security inspectors to ensure their safe operation, with a recommended ratio of one inspector to three taxis.
The guideline specifies the scenarios in which autonomous driving vehicles can offer road transportation services. Autonomous city buses can carry out relevant passenger transport operations in physically enclosed, relatively enclosed, or fixed routes with simple traffic conditions. Autonomous taxis are permitted to provide transportation services in scenarios with good traffic conditions and controllable traffic safety. However, autonomous vehicles are prohibited from engaging in road transportation operations involving dangerous goods.
The release of this guideline is seen as a significant step toward promoting the safe application of autonomous driving vehicles in China’s transportation sector. Wang Xianjin, Vice President of the China Academy of Transportation Sciences, believes that the improved industrial environment paves the way for the accelerated adoption of autonomous vehicles in transportation services. This guideline not only ensures safety but also allows for innovative applications, further propelling the advancement of autonomous driving technology in the sector.
In conclusion, China’s Ministry of Transport’s trial safety guideline on autonomous driving technology in the transportation sector has paved the way for its commercialization. The country’s autonomous driving industry has grown rapidly, with autonomous vehicles being employed in various transportation operations across multiple cities. The guideline establishes a comprehensive safety assurance system and provides clear regulations for different transportation scenarios. With safety at the forefront, China continues to lead the way in the adoption and application of autonomous driving technology in the transportation sector.
