Dubai establishes legislative framework for self-driving

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, issued a decree No. (3) for the year 2019 concerning the organization of operational tests for self-driving vehicles in Dubai. A leading global center for the adoption of future solutions and applications.

Dubai is in the process of setting the regulatory framework and developing the necessary legislative structure to ensure the highest levels of efficiency, reliability and security for the intelligent mobility system that Dubai is implementing in its vision of moving to the Smart City and adopting all the necessary measures to achieve the highest levels of community service by employing the latest technology.

The decision aims at achieving complete safety in the use of self-driving vehicles, contributing to the Emirate's strategy for intelligent mobility based on the use of this type of vehicle, achieving public safety requirements and protecting property when smart navigation enters the implementation phase. Vehicles, and to take advantage of the best global practices in this regard.

The decision regulates the relationship between the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Al Manshaah, which is defined as the institution or company contracted by the TRA to conduct the operational experience of the self-driving vehicle, including the plant, developer and agent, under a contract between them, The terms and conditions of conducting the operational experience of the self-driving vehicle and any requirements determined by the Authority in this regard.

The decision gave the Roads Authority powers in this sector, which included reviewing, auditing and adopting the technical standards and safety and security standards contained in the specification booklet issued by the establishment, which should be available in the self-driving vehicle for which the operational experience is to be conducted. And approved specifications.

The Authority shall also be responsible for preparing and adopting the safety standards necessary for conducting the operational experience of the vehicle in all its stages, preparing and approving the conditions, standards and procedures for its implementation, determining the requirements that must be provided by the driver of the vehicle during the implementation of the operational experience, and the identification of roads, For the self-driving vehicle, and to grant the permit to the establishment, in accordance with the standards and procedures approved by the Authority, and to monitor the extent of the entity's commitment to the contract with it, the terms of its authorization, Vid traverse self-driving vehicle operational experience, and the formation of joint task forces with government agencies concerned in the emirate to oversee operational testing processes.

According to the decision, RTA is preparing and preparing the infrastructure to conduct the operational tests of the self-driving vehicles, in accordance with the standards and specifications adopted in this regard, and cooperation and coordination with the concerned authorities in the Emirate in all that would achieve the objectives of this decision.

The decision provides that Dubai Police and Dubai Emergency Services Foundation shall provide all aspects of cooperation and coordination with the Authority to enable it to implement the provisions of this resolution by participating in the evaluation of the operational experience of the self-driving vehicle and providing the necessary traffic patrols and ambulances in carrying out the operational experience of the self-driving vehicle. The conditions and procedures for authorizing the facilities shall be determined by conducting the operational experiment for these vehicles in accordance with a decision issued by the Director General and the Chairman of the Board of Directors at RTA.

Any individual, public or private entity is prohibited from carrying out any operational experience of the motor vehicle in the Emirate, prior to entering into a contract with the TRA for the conduct of the operational experience and obtaining authorization.

In addition to the requirements set out in the legislation in force for the license of vehicle drivers, the leader of the self-driving vehicle to conduct the operational experience is required to: be qualified to drive the vehicle self-driving and deal with existing systems, and be familiar with the simulation system available in the vehicle, The body to deal with this type of vehicle.

According to the decision, the enterprises are committed to several commitments, the most important of which are: the texts of the contract of conducting the operational experience concluded between them and the Authority and the authorization granted to them, and the provision of the specifications approved by the Authority in the self-driving vehicle, and to provide the Authority with periodic reports, including the stage reached by the operational experience, In accordance with the technical level of the vehicle, in addition to any other information or data specified by the Authority.

The entity is obliged to use the self-driving vehicle in the areas, tracks and schedules specified by the Authority. The entity must insure the vehicle and its driver under a comprehensive accident and civil liability insurance policy. This document shall be valid for the duration of the operational test and shall be issued by a company Licensed to operate in the Emirate, in addition to compliance with all conditions and procedures issued by RTA in respect of the operational experience of the vehicle self-driving.

The decision states that if the corporation violates any of its obligations, the Authority may take one or more of the measures against the infringing establishment. These include: warning, suspending the operational experience temporarily, canceling the permit, or canceling the contract with the establishment for the experiment Operations.

Exemption from liability

The decision of the Executive Council of Dubai states that RTA shall not be liable to third parties for any damages that may occur as a result of conducting the operational test of the self-driving vehicle by the establishment and only the entity responsible for such damages.

The Director General and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority shall issue the necessary decisions to implement the provisions of this Resolution. Any provision in any other resolution shall be canceled to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Resolution.

This decision is supported by the Dubai Autonomous Leadership Strategy to transform 25 per cent of total Dubai traffic into self-driving by 2030, with an annual economic return of AED 22 billion The strategy.