In the middle of the chaos because of the environmental badges, the DGT has shown the red label to Spain. It’s excellent news

Spain has just taken the most important step to date in relation to the legal framework for the circulation of automated vehicles. The DGT has announced the Safety and Technology Evaluation Framework Program of Automated Vehicles (ES-AV Program), The new regulatory framework under which all those operations related to Automated vehicles On traffic open.

The red label. In the next few days, it is more than likely to start listening to the new “red label.” It is one that has nothing to do with the system of DGT environmental labelsready of suffering modifications by the government. Soon you will begin to see on the windshield of all that automated vehicle that wants to perform open road tests.

It will be the way we will have to recognize that a vehicle, be it prototype, in pre-homologation phase or driven remotely It is moving autonomously. In the face of cameras and agents of the authority, it is the legal proof that said vehicle has the necessary authorization to circulate without physical supervision.

The new legal framework. The ES-AV program is a national code that regulates how, where and under what conditions you can test with autonomous cars in Spain, without the need for human supervision on board. In it, vehicles with levels of autonomy are reflected SAE 2 A SAE 5as well as those driven remotely.

There will be a total of three access and authorization systems, under the umbrella of the General Sub -Directorate of Mobility Management of the DGT itself.

• EEE Recognition System: Recognition of tests already authorized in other countries of the European Economic Space.
• Special system: independent evaluation in Spain.
• External evaluation system: Exceptional tests for vehicles have already obtained authorization in countries external to the EU.

The test phases. The DGT establishes three test phases in its program, depending on technological maturity and the range of open road operations. Each of these phases establishes what will be the minimum requirements to be met, and it will be those responsible for the autonomous vehicles that will have to inform about which phase they want to participate.

• Phase 1, controlled: operational environment of up to three vehicles, not admitted vehicles with level 2 SAE of automation, mandatory that there is always a safety operator on board, restricted circulation space.
• Phase 2, extensive: simultaneous operation of up to 10 vehicles, operator always aboard, without restricting space.
• Phase 3, pre-despleger: simultaneous operation of more than 10 vehicles, optional on board, remote operator, exceptionally, it can be circulated with definitive plates from the EU. Sae 2 vehicles admitted.

Transparency in data. Since the entry into force of this new legislative framework, the DGT will reflect on its website the data with the ongoing tests. In the same way, it establishes the obligation to the testers to deliver periodic reports of the operations carried out, not having detailed on the website the data that it will require in them.

On the DGT website, we can observe some of the tests already carried out in Spain, as well as some that are currently underway at the hands of ALSA and the Ctag (Galicia Automotive Technology Center).

A pioneer regulation. Spain has been one of the first EU countries, together with Germany and Francein creating a clear legal framework for the circulation of autonomous vehicles in test phases. However, it is important to point out that the regulatory framework supervises pre-commercial phase operations, does not authorize the use of completely autonomous vehicles.

In Spain, the autonomous circulation of levels 3 and 4 is not yet regulated, and in Europe it is taking its first steps in authorized trials and restricted areas. Outside Europe there is no clear consensus. In fact, Waymo has just announced his arrival from his taxis to New York … Operated with human supervisionsince state law still does not allow the operation open to traffic of a vehicle in a 100% autonomous way. Other cities, such as California, They allow robotaxis to be operated to which we have come to.

Countries like China They have advanced to the United States in this race, with Baidu announcing that their service Apollo Go has completed 11 million tripsin front of the 10 million reported by Waymo. At the moment, the step taken by Spain is not a victory, but one of the most important advances to date in this area.

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