Opinion piece by Chris Nielsen, Engineers Australia, 2017 Queensland President.
Chris Nielsen FIEAust CPEng NER is a civil engineer with over 25 years’ experience, working primarily as a consulting engineer, but also in software development, sales and research. Geographically, he has lived and worked in Australia, Asia and Europe. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from James Cook University in 1990 and a Master of Engineering Science from the University of Queensland in 2000.
When I attend briefings on autonomous vehicles (AVs) my immediate reaction is that I’m talking to futurists who watch too many science fiction movies. But, global corporations are investing billions into AVs, governments are taking notice and trials are popping up around the globe. Developments in the United States, with companies like Tesla, Google, Uber and Ford testing rapidly evolving technologies in road trials requiring conformance to regulatory frameworks and safety mandates of individual states, are constantly discussed in the media. This points to a rapid uptake of this new technology and, potentially, to significant changes to how we will move around.
Simplistically, we can consider two core considerations for engineers. Firstly, the tech needed to achieve AV’s goal of a fully automated vehicle and secondly, the regulatory structure to implement them.
Cameras, ultrasonic detectors, radar and LIDAR (light detection and ranging, a laser based method of measuring distances) are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the AV. Powerful hardware and software are required to process this information, analysing and identifying navigation paths, identifying and avoiding obstacles and interpreting relevant signage. Braking, acceleration and steering control systems respond as required. Beyond the car itself is a connected network of vehicles and infrastructure to optimise traffic flow. Innovative engineers are making these technologies more powerful and cheaper, including here in Australia. Some of the many local examples include the mining sector, which took an early lead, and the investments and activities of Bosch in Melbourne, which are on a par with other global initiatives.
Regulators need to (1) keep up, (2) be prepared and (3) proactively lead the way. AVs have the potential to change the funding mechanisms for transportation and influence private vehicle ownership and public transport usage. Traffic congestion and public transport shape our cities – if these patterns change, will our cities become more or less liveable? Insightful analysis and long-term planning based on facts and figures are needed. While the research to provide these facts and figures can be carried out by a range of industry, government and academic organisations, it is ultimately the government’s regulators who need to take ownership and, for want of a better phrase, drive us safely along the road ahead.
Safety is fundamental to the rollout of AVs. Driving a car is potentially dangerous and loss of life is a strong motivation for change. If AVs prove to be significantly safer than a car driven by a person, there will be a moral obligation to implement them on our roads and, potentially, implementation will be rapid. Conversely, fatal accidents involving AVs could well slow down or halt implementation.
Just like mobile phones, photo voltaic cells and Uber, AVs are coming, like it or not and ready or not.
Engineers Australia contributes to the conversation on AVs and associated issues through national policy, advocacy and engagement throughout the country and supporting roles with industry associations.
To find out more about AVs, check out the following links:
Driverless Cars are just around the corner, an opinion piece by an Engineers Australia member.
Autonomous vehicles, a web update by Department of Transport and Main Roads
Policy discussion, a discussion paper by Roads Australia.
If you would like to contact Chris with comments or questions, please feel free to email him.
Image: stock image.