Nanshan initiates pilot program for intelligent connected vehicle operations

Each intelligent connected vehicle engaged in pilot commercial operations in Nanshan District is required to be equipped with a driver. And for every three unmanned vehicles deployed in commercial operations, at least one safety officer must be present to ensure safety protocols are followed, according to the “Pilot Management Measures for the Commercial Operation of Intelligent Connected Vehicles” that was officially implemented in Nanshan District on Feb. 5.

Set to last for two years, this initiative aims to advance the use of smart mobility solutions and facilitate the integration of autonomous vehicle technology into the commercial transport sector.

Under the new regulations, a variety of intelligent connected vehicles, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and specialized operation vehicles, can be engaged in pilot commercial operations. 

To qualify as unmanned commercial operation pilot vehicles, each vehicle must have either completed a minimum of 1,200 hours or 5,000 kilometers of prior testing in the designated areas of Nanshan, and achieved an average disengagement interval of at least 100 kilometers without any recorded traffic accidents, or obtained certification for unmanned demonstration applications. Additionally, these vehicles must have logged at least 240 hours or 1,000 kilometers of unmanned operational testing in the same areas without incident.

The program limits the initial number of vehicles participating in the pilot project to a maximum of 30. However, operators who have conducted more than 20,000 kilometers of related activities in Nanshan without any traffic incidents can apply to add more vehicles of the same model. For the addition of new vehicles, an automatic driving function test will be conducted at a rate of 10% for the first application, while future applications may lead to a modified sampling rate based on technological developments and operational histories.

In addition to these operational guidelines, the management measures stipulate that operators must establish reasonable service pricing, publicly disclose charging standards, and ensure clear pricing practices. This transparency aims to foster consumer trust and clearly delineate costs associated with the use of intelligent connected vehicles.