Safety Management

ReliablE in-Vehicle pErception and decisioN-making in complex environmenTal conditions (EVENTS)

• Funding value: Total €6M+, Value to WMG €650k

• Partners: I-SENSE Research Group, of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS), Institute of Measurement, Control and Microtechnology at Ulm University (UULM), SEAbility, Tecnalia, Perciv AI, HITACHI France, APTIV, HITACHI UK, STELLANTIS, TU Delft

Project Context and Challenge:

Driving is a challenging task that involves complex situations that need to be handled safely and efficiently. The same is valid for Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs), which also need to handle these situations, to a certain extent, depending on their automation level and their target Operational Design Domain (ODD). The higher the automation level is, the higher the (user) expectations for the system to cope with these situations are. In the context of this project, these complex situations where the normal operation of the CAV is close to being disrupted (e.g. when the ODD limit is reached due to traffic changes, harsh weather or light conditions, unstructured roads, imperfect data, sensor or communication failures, etc.), are called "events." Within the scope of this project, these events are clustered under three main use cases:

• Interaction with VRUs (vulnerable road users) in Complex Urban Environments

• Non-standard and Unstructured Road Conditions

• Low Visibility and Adverse Weather Conditions

Project Objectives:

The vision of EVENTS is to create a robust and resilient perception and decision-making system for CAVs to manage various types of “events”. EVENTS will allow overcoming the current CAV ODD limitations due to the dynamically changing road environment (VRUs, obstacles) and/or imperfect data (e.g., sensor and communication failures) while ensuring continuous and safe operation. In EVENTS, if the system or some of the subsystems cannot perform with the expected quality and reliability, an improved minimum risk manoeuvre is triggered.

Approach and Innovation:

WMG has been heavily involved in the Vehicle System Hazard Analysis & Risk Assessment (HARA) through the application of System Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) for Safety of the intended Functionality (SOTIF) and the development of self-assessment for Perception & Localization systems of this project. We have also been leading the Standardisation & International Liaison activities (ISO TC 204 WG14 (Guidance on ODD), ISO TC22 SC32 Working Groups 13&14, ASAM: OpenODD (Project Lead), ASAM: OSI performance (Work Package Lead), BSI: PAS 1883 (Technical Lead) and BSI: Flex 1889(Technical Lead)).

Impacts and Next Steps:

EVENTS will improve technological advances in perception and decision-making for real-time CAV operation, paving way for safe deployment of CAVs. The purpose of Standardisation & International Liaison task is to centrally coordinate all inputs arising from EVENTS across various standardisation bodies and organisations. Since international collaboration is essential for the safe deployment of automated driving, this task will also ensure alignment at both European and global levels. This includes maintaining liaisons with research initiatives, policymakers, organisations, associations, technical communities, and networks in regions such as Europe, the USA, Japan, South Korea, China, and Canada.

Developing Objective and quantifiable Risk Assessment for CAV (DORA)

• Funding value: £195,066
• Funder: Innovate UK
• Project partners: IDIADA AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY UK LTD

Project Context and Challenge:

There is an urgent need for objective, quantifiable measures to assess Autonomous Vehicle (AV) safety and performance, a critical step towards accelerating Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) adoption in the UK. Current AV development and regulation lack clear methods to translate the subjective notion of a “careful and competent driver” into measurable criteria. DORA addresses this gap by aligning human driving standards with AV capabilities and introducing methodologies to quantify risk in complex, dynamic environments.

Project Objectives:

The DORA project aims to advance Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) validation and support the AV industry by delivering three key outcomes: a framework that quantifies AV driving behaviour, a robust testing methodology and recommendations for updating AV standards and regulations. Central to this is the creation of a novel framework that bridges human driving standards with AV capabilities, ensuring that the subjective notion of a “careful and competent driver” is translated into objective, measurable criteria. DORA will develop methodologies to quantify risk in complex, dynamic environments and establish clear stopping criteria for AV testing. These outputs will provide universally applicable benchmarks for AV validation and certification while informing future regulation and insurance models. By aligning with both established industry practices and emerging standards, DORA offers a holistic, evidence-based approach to safety assurance, supporting the safe and accelerated adoption of autonomous mobility in the UK.

Approach and Innovation:

The novel framework within DORA translates the concept of a "careful and competent driver" into quantifiable metrics for AVs. This involves analysing human driving data to extract key performance indicators, adapting these indicators for AV capabilities, and validating them within a robust simulation environment. The framework improves upon existing safety standards by providing specific, measurable criteria directly linked to human driving performance, addressing a major gap in current approaches. By applying established technologies such as data analytics and simulation to the new domain of AV risk assessment, while simultaneously developing novel methodologies for quantifying risk in complex, dynamic driving environments, the DORA approach ensures both innovation and practicality. The outputs directly address the need for clear, objective criteria in AV safety assessment and provide tangible tools for AV developers, regulators, and testing organizations to evaluate and improve AV performance. In doing so, DORA advances safety assurance and builds confidence for the safe deployment of autonomous mobility.

Impact and Next Steps:

DORA aligns with several Government priorities that include the UK's goal to be a world leader in CAM technologies that is championed through CCAV, the "Build Back Better" plan by fostering innovation and high-skilled job creation, helping to reduce regional economic disparities by distributing high-tech job opportunities. By strengthening AV safety assurance processes, DORA will accelerate AV adoption, improving mobility and independence for an estimated 1–2 million UK residents. Its outcomes will inform and shape future AV regulation, supporting the UK’s desire to be a leader in road safety initiatives and potentially reducing road accidents by 20–30% through improved AV standards.

Developing Objective and quantifiable Risk Assessment for CAV (DORA)

• Funding value: £195,066
• Funder: Innovate UK
• Project partners: IDIADA AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY UK LTD

Project Context and Challenge:

There is an urgent need for objective, quantifiable measures to assess Autonomous Vehicle (AV) safety and performance, a critical step towards accelerating Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) adoption in the UK. Current AV development and regulation lack clear methods to translate the subjective notion of a “careful and competent driver” into measurable criteria. DORA addresses this gap by aligning human driving standards with AV capabilities and introducing methodologies to quantify risk in complex, dynamic environments.

Project Objectives:

The DORA project aims to advance Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) validation and support the AV industry by delivering three key outcomes: a framework that quantifies AV driving behaviour, a robust testing methodology and recommendations for updating AV standards and regulations. Central to this is the creation of a novel framework that bridges human driving standards with AV capabilities, ensuring that the subjective notion of a “careful and competent driver” is translated into objective, measurable criteria. DORA will develop methodologies to quantify risk in complex, dynamic environments and establish clear stopping criteria for AV testing. These outputs will provide universally applicable benchmarks for AV validation and certification while informing future regulation and insurance models. By aligning with both established industry practices and emerging standards, DORA offers a holistic, evidence-based approach to safety assurance, supporting the safe and accelerated adoption of autonomous mobility in the UK.

Approach and Innovation:

The novel framework within DORA translates the concept of a "careful and competent driver" into quantifiable metrics for AVs. This involves analysing human driving data to extract key performance indicators, adapting these indicators for AV capabilities, and validating them within a robust simulation environment. The framework improves upon existing safety standards by providing specific, measurable criteria directly linked to human driving performance, addressing a major gap in current approaches. By applying established technologies such as data analytics and simulation to the new domain of AV risk assessment, while simultaneously developing novel methodologies for quantifying risk in complex, dynamic driving environments, the DORA approach ensures both innovation and practicality. The outputs directly address the need for clear, objective criteria in AV safety assessment and provide tangible tools for AV developers, regulators, and testing organizations to evaluate and improve AV performance. In doing so, DORA advances safety assurance and builds confidence for the safe deployment of autonomous mobility.

Impact and Next Steps:

DORA aligns with several Government priorities that include the UK's goal to be a world leader in CAM technologies that is championed through CCAV, the "Build Back Better" plan by fostering innovation and high-skilled job creation, helping to reduce regional economic disparities by distributing high-tech job opportunities. By strengthening AV safety assurance processes, DORA will accelerate AV adoption, improving mobility and independence for an estimated 1–2 million UK residents. Its outcomes will inform and shape future AV regulation, supporting the UK’s desire to be a leader in road safety initiatives and potentially reducing road accidents by 20–30% through improved AV standards.