B.C.鈥檚 government is keeping an eye on driverless vehicles, an emerging technology that experts say will be the most profound change in transportation in a century.
According to a recently released report: 鈥淭he arrival of automated vehicles (AVs) 鈥� also known as autonomous, self-driving, or driverless vehicles 鈥� is imminent鈥� in Canada.
That report, a collaboration between the Conference Board of Canada, the Van Horne Institute, and the 91原创 Automated Vehicles Centre of Excellence (CAVCOE), encourages different levels of government to consider the impacts of automated vehicles in urban planning, transit and infrastructure projects.
鈥淐anada is beginning to lag in recognizing and preparing for the large impact this disruptive digital technology will have on our society,鈥� says the report.
Study co-author Paul Godsmark said: 鈥淓ssentially, autonomous vehicles are going to transform society.鈥�
The first generation of AVs is already with us, said Godsmark, chief technology officer for CAVCOE, an advocacy group. Some cars already have semi-automated features, such as assisted parallel parking. Google has rolled out prototype AVs in California and elsewhere, and company representatives said a mass-market version could be available as early as 2017.
Godsmark said it鈥檚 been difficult for engineers and planners to understand the implications of this technology, because the field hasn鈥檛 seen such a fundamental 鈥減aradigm shift鈥� since the change from the horse and carriage to the car.
In Metro 91原创, where taxpayers are debating the merits of the 10-year, $7.5-billion plan proposed by the Mayors鈥� Council on Regional Transportation, autonomous vehicles have been examined as part of the planning process.
Greg Moore, the mayor of Port Coquitlam and chair of the Metro 91原创 Regional District, said that while the 鈥渏ury is still out on many aspects鈥� of the timing and impact of this technology, 鈥渨e are closely monitoring developments in the industry.鈥�
AnnaLisa Meyboom, director of UBC鈥檚 Transportation Infrastructure and Public Space Lab, has been researching driverless cars and their potential impacts.
If regional planners and governments are tempted to write off AVs as science-fiction fantasy, Meyboom said, 鈥渢hat would be a big mistake.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 not sure that all levels of government are paying attention to this technology. And I think it鈥檚 going to have a huge impact,鈥� she said.
But before British Columbians can legally hop into a driverless car and nap on their commute home from work, legislative changes would be needed.
Transport Canada would first need to make changes to recognize driverless cars under the 91原创 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, according to an emailed statement from B.C.鈥檚 Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Then, the province 鈥渨ould likely need to consider drafting provincial vehicle standards,鈥� said the ministry spokeswoman. 鈥淐hanges to legislation and vehicle registration and licensing would also be required before driverless cars were allowed on public roads in B.C.鈥�
The spokeswoman added: 鈥淭he ministry is monitoring the developments and tests that are being carried out around self-driving cars in other jurisdictions. ICBC is directly involved in industry discussions surrounding best practices with other jurisdictions, including learning from jurisdictions such as California, which have taken preliminary steps in this direction.鈥�
Jonn Axsen, an SFU professor who specializes in transitions to sustainable transportation modes, is more skeptical about driverless cars making an imminent impact on the mainstream.
鈥淚鈥檓 kind of the buzzkill,鈥� said Axsen, who has researched the history of what he calls 鈥渉ype cycles.鈥�
Asked about driverless cars, he pointed to the early 1990s, when several companies and experts were claiming electric cars would be widespread within a few years. That prediction, of course, didn鈥檛 pan out.
鈥淚t鈥檚 natural with new technology,鈥� Axsen said. 鈥淪omething starts to come out and everyone thinks, 鈥極h great. It鈥檚 here. Everything鈥檚 going to change, we鈥檙e going to be flying around in cars that drive themselves in 10 years,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e talking about hype.鈥澛�
5 levels of automation
Level 0 鈥� No automation: Driver is in complete control of primary vehicle controls (brake, steering, throttle) at all times.
Level 1 鈥� Function-specific automation: This level is not uncommon today. Driver has overall control, but the vehicle can take over certain controls, such as cruise control or automatic braking.
Level 2 鈥� Combined function automation: Driver is still responsible for safe operation and is expected to be available for control at all times on short notice.
Level 3 鈥� Limited self-driving automation: Vehicle assumes full control of all safety-critical functions. Driver is not expected to constantly monitor the roadway, but is available for occasional control, with sufficiently comfortable transition time.
Level 4 鈥� Full self-driving automation: Vehicle performs all driving functions and monitors roadway conditions for entire trip. Driver can provide destination or navigation input, but is not expected to be available for control at any time during the trip. Vehicle can complete trip while unoccupied.
鈥� Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administratio
