Enablers for Testing Autonomous Vehicles at Exitsting Proving grounds (ETAVEP)

Research Project, 2020 – 2022

Purpose and goal
The project aims to research technologies and technology performance level required to replace the safety driver with another solution for autonomous vehicle testing at existing proving ground facilities. The follow research questions will be addressed: Which global monitoring principles need to be applied? Which local monitoring principles need to be applied? Can on-board monitoring for vehicle faults detect mechanical faults and wear as well as an experienced test driver? How to take emergency control over an autonomous vehicle? How is the concept validated?

Expected results and effects
By answering the research questions and developing a Proof-of-Concept. The project will show if it is possible to generate a requirement specification of what a system must fulfill in order to enable testing manual driven and autonomous vehicles which are sharing test track, without risking safety. The system is expected to be cost efficient compared with building a new test track.

Planned approach and implementation
The project will conduct a use case study to identify possible situations a system must manage. These use cases will be used in a risk assessment. From the risk assessment results, mainly four work packages will determine solutions which together generates a total system, a Proof-of-Concept. The four work packages will include areas such as traffic control system, monitoring of surrounding, monitoring of vehicle status and vehicle control