Innovation Committee launches driverless vehicles inquiry

A HOUSE of Representatives committee today announced a new inquiry into the social implications of driverless vehicles.

The Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources will inquire into the social issues relating to land–based driverless vehicles in Australia, including cars, trucks, buses and trains.

Committee Chair Michelle Landry MP says the inquiry will bridge an important knowledge gap in the growing body of research about this emerging technology.

“Our inquiry will focus on issues such as the social acceptance of the technology, how it might benefit Australians with limited mobility, and the potential social implications for driverless vehicles in the industrial and public transport sectors.”

“Other investigations have started to address the technological aspects of driverless vehicles or possible regulatory approaches, and Australia is already at the forefront of using or trialling this new technology. For example, there is currently a driverless shuttle bus on trial in Perth, millions of tonnes of iron ore are already being transported on driverless haulage trucks, and driverless trains are to be used on a new Sydney metro line.

“This inquiry will take the next step with the Committee seeking to understand and encourage open discussion on some of the complex social issues that have yet to be tackled.”

The full Terms of Reference for the inquiry are set out below.

Submissions are due on 6 February 2017. The Committee will then hear additional evidence at public hearings. To make a submission or find out more about the work of the Committee, please visit the Committee’s website.

Terms of Reference—Driverless Vehicles Inquiry

The Committee will inquire into the current and potential social issues relating to land­ based driverless vehicles in Australia.

The inquiry will consider different types of transport (such as cars, trucks, buses and trains)-as well as different driverless options (such as directly controlled, remotely controlled and fully autonomous vehicles).

In particular, the Committee will inquire into and report on:

1. What social issues are relevant-such as:
   a.       general social acceptance levels
   b.      passenger and non-passenger safety
   c.       legal responsibility and insurance
   d.      potential impacts on employment and different industry sectors (such as the taxi industry)
   e.      access and equity issues (such as increasing individual mobility for the elderly and people with disabilities)
   f.        potential public transport applications
2. How each social issue is being handled—including the opportunities and challenges for each issue
3. Recommendations to progress action on the social issues identified

When undertaking this Inquiry the Committee should have regard to:

• non-social aspects relating to driverless vehicles—such as regulatory status, infrastructure, technological readiness, data management and cyber security  issues
• the experience of other jurisdictions and nations
• how Australia might best position itself to contribute to global driverless vehicle initiatives
• the respective roles of the Australian government, the Australian Parliament, other jurisdictions and other stakeholders
• how issues identified from this inquiry might inform work on other emerging technologies

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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