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16 In conversation | Professor Nick Reed based Distributed Control (SCDC) for connected and autonomous cars. “SCDC will look at the use of the cloud for autonomous control, including how we provide secure reliable connections with the cloud,” Prof Reed explains. “Vehicle-to-vehicle [V2V] and vehicle- to-infrastructure [V2I] technologies are part of that, but there’s also low-latency high-speed 5G cellular phone technology coming along by 2020. One question we will be looking at is whether V2V and V2I technologies are an interim step or is waiting for 5G a better solution?“ Mapping is another key area. “Digital mapping is important because of the need for up-to-date maps,” he says. “That’s one of the considerations for the data collection from vehicles for updating the digital maps in the cloud.” Getting connected The project will also explore how increasingly automated and connected vehicles can operate safely and securely when connected to each other and, via the road infrastructure, to cloud- based resources. Ultimately the aim is to develop a secure framework that will enable the implementation of safe and robust semi-autonomous functions on future cars in the short term, and fully autonomous cars in the long term. This is part of a wider programme called “Towards Autonomy – Smart and Connected Control”. Other projects include the development by the universities of Birmingham and Edinburgh of new radar sensors and video analysis techniques that would allow the cars to better identify obstacles and hazards on the road, while researchers from the University of Warwick will focus on developing a self-learning car that will minimise distractions and enhance safety. TRL is also involved in the Sentience programme for testing partial automation on UK roads; Adaptation, which uses TRL’s DigiCar driving simulator for research into the behaviour of drivers when driving in mixed and automated traffic; and a heavy vehicle platooning study for the UK’s Department of Transport to understand the practicalities of electronically linking large trucks to improve fuel efficiency. Going forward, safety concerns are high on the agenda as the different technologies start to roll out. “In the coming year, are people going to start pushing the limits, so are we likely to see the first autonomous vehicle collision?” Prof Reed muses. “That may have a range of consequences for the technology’s adoption in terms of public acceptance of automation, and the technical regulations that may be imposed as a result. We therefore need to be confident about the true benefits of autonomous vehicles if there is a collision.” Dec 2015/Jan 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology Prof Reed joined the Human Factors and Simulation group at TRL in January 2004 after post-doctoral work in visual perception at the University of Oxford. He has led a variety of studies using full-mission, high-fidelity car and truck simulators and has championed work in the area of vehicle automation at TRL, culminating in his technical leadership of the GATEway (Greenwich Automated Transport Environment) trial – a flagship UK government project to investigate the implications of introducing automated vehicles into the urban environment. In addition to GATEway, his role as TRL Academy director is to ensure the technical quality of TRL’s research outputs, for supporting the academic development of TRL staff and for managing TRL’s engagement with stakeholders in industry and academia on programmes of collaborative research. The Academy aims to reinforce TRL’s scientific and engineering expertise and reputation as a leading international transport research institute and centre of excellence through long-term research programmes and projects that develop major intellectual property. Prof Nick Reed, TRL Academy director Will we see the first autonomous vehicle collision in the coming year? If so, we need to be confident about the true benefits of these vehicles