Austroads: Transport Research and Trends

Trials of automated vehicle (AV) technology are undertaken to research and develop the technology, understand the supporting regulatory and operational frameworks required, and prepare for wide-scale adoption of the technology. Governments across Australia and New Zealand have expressed an interest in maximising the value of trials through improved evaluation and knowledge sharing. To meet this need, Austroads has prepared guidance for the evaluation and reporting of AV trials. This guidance seeks to improve consistency in evaluation and reporting as an enabler and contributor to improved knowledge sharing across jurisdictions.

The guidelines set out the three key stages associated with evaluation and reporting. The scoping and planning stage helps with understanding the objectives and purpose of the trial and the associated evaluation, along with developing a plan to reach the evaluation objectives. For the conducting stage, guidance is provided on undertaking the trial, based on the trial plan, with necessary adjustments, to gather and analyse findings. Finally for the reporting and dissemination stage, the guidelines provide advice on reporting on the key findings from the evaluation and disseminating the report broadly.