Automated and connected vehicles have the potential to greatly improve road safety and increase mobility, while also offering new economic opportunities and environmental benefits to Canadians. That’s why the Government of Canada has just published:
- Canada’s Safety Framework for Automated and Connected Vehicles, and
- Safety Assessment for Automated Driving Systems in Canada
These two new, innovative documents released by Transport Canada will help industry accelerate the safe introduction of automated and connected vehicles on Canadian roads.
To coincide with the release of these documents, the Government of Canada has also launched a new automated and connected vehicle section on Transport Canada’s website. The new site provides information about these vehicles, their technologies, and the benefits for Canadians.
Collectively, these new reports complement the work outlined in two other recently published documents:
- Automated and Connected Vehicles Policy Framework for Canada was released in January 2019, by the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety. The report examines shared objectives to promote and invest in these technologies.
- Testing Highly Automated Vehicles in Canada: Guidelines for Trial Organizations was released in June 2018 by Transport Canada. The report sets a consistent baseline of safety practices for automated vehicle testing.
The safety of Canadian road users is a priority for Transport Canada, and the testing and deployment of automated and connected vehicles is no exception. The Department continues to work actively with its partners – both nationally and internationally – to achieve this.
Quotes
“We are moving towards a future where cars will eventually drive themselves. As Minister of Transport, I want to make sure that these automated vehicles are safe for all Canadian road users. The release of these two new safety documents is another important step towards the future of transportation in Canada.”
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
“The release of the Safety Framework and Safety Assessment is a positive step in the development of autonomous vehicle technologies for Canada on a North American basis given the nature of the integrated automotive industry. We support a national framework that promotes innovation while maintaining the safety of Canadian roads and passengers.”
Mark Nantais
President, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association
“The field of automated and connected vehicle technology is rapidly evolving, so much so that traditional regulatory mechanisms are no longer appropriate – necessitating greater collaboration between industry and governments to ensure that Canadians remain both safe and informed about the technologies rapidly being deployed in new vehicles. Federal leadership is essential in this effort and the Global Automakers of Canada appreciates the synergistic work that has been undertaken with Transport Canada to develop “Canada’s Safety Framework for Automated and Connected Vehicles” and “Safety Assessment for Automated Driving Systems in Canada.”
David C. Adams
President and CEO, Global Automakers of Canada
Quick Facts
- Automated vehicles use a combination of sensors, controllers, software, and onboard computers to control at least some driving functions, instead of a human driver.
- Connected vehicles use different types of wireless communications technologies to communicate with their surroundings and other vehicles.
- Canada’s Safety Framework for Automated and Connected Vehicles is a comprehensive plan to manage the safety of automated and connected vehicles in the near and longer term.
- Safety Assessment for Automated Driving Systems in Canada supports industry in assessing the safety and security of its vehicles as they increasingly achieve higher levels of automation. The tool shows good alignment with similar policies in the United States.
Related Products
- Automated and Connected Vehicles Policy Framework for Canada
- Testing Highly Automated Vehicles in Canada: Guidelines for Trial Organizations
Associated Links
- Transport Canada’s automated and connected vehicle web presence
- Canada’s Safety Framework for Automated and Connected Vehicles
- Safety Assessment for Automated Driving Systems in Canada
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.