Pragmatic approach needed to AV regulation

IHT urges government to align automated vehicle regulation with sustainable transport goals

A balanced and pragmatic approach to automated vehicle (AV) regulation would support safety, sustainability and effective operation of the UK’s transport networks, says the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT).

Responding to the government’s Developing the Automated Vehicles Regulatory Framework call for evidence, the CIHT has welcomed the potential benefits of automation but stresses that AV deployment must align with established transport policy objectives, including decarbonisation, public health, accessibility and place-based planning.

Sue Percy CBE, chief executive of the CIHT, said: “Automated vehicles have the potential to deliver real benefits, particularly in improving safety and accessibility, but they must be introduced in a way that supports a sustainable and integrated transport system. Regulation should ensure that automation works for people and places, not against them.

“Getting the regulatory framework right from the outset is critical. This includes clear national standards, a fair and transparent approach to liability, and sustained support for local authorities who will be on the frontline of managing automated vehicles on our roads.”

CIHT is a membership organisation representing over 14,000 people who work in the highways and transportation sector. 

In its response to the Department for Transport and Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicle, CIHT highlights the importance of integrating automated vehicles in ways that complement, rather than compete with, walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport.

CIHT argues that AV services should be designed to strengthen public transport networks and support first-mile and last-mile journeys, without undermining local priorities such as 15-minute cities and 20-minute neighbourhoods.

The response also raises practical considerations for the highways, transport and infrastructure sector. CIHT notes that automated vehicles will need to operate safely within complex, real-world environments, including roads with temporary layouts, inconsistent markings and variable speed limits. It emphasises that local authorities will require long-term financial and technical support to manage the additional demands associated with digital mapping, data management and cybersecurity.

On safety, CIHT stresses that automated vehicles must meet a high and transparent safety threshold. The Institution supports regulatory approaches that enable ongoing monitoring of safety performance and calls for clear standards around data sharing and public reporting to help build trust and confidence among all road users.