MIIT advances China's formulation of autonomous driving standards

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is beginning to implement suggestions by a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on promoting the formulation of autonomous driving (AD) standards.

Pan Jiaofeng, a deputy to the 14th NPC, found during a survey that enterprises require significant adaptation work when conducting AD operations across the country, as management standards vary across regions. As a result, companies operating autonomous vehicles face serious cost pressures that are hindering the commercial implementation of AD technology.

Some cities are more advanced in their AD policies and regulations, having established dedicated zones for testing and deployment. For example, Shenzhen City in south China's Guangdong Province boasts a 5G-enabled, 50-square-kilometer open testing zone, allowing Level 4 AD testing with virtual drivers.

Densely-populated cities like Beijing tend to have stricter safety requirements and longer testing periods before allowing public trials. Beijing restricts AD operations to closed courses and designated zones, while Guangzhou City in south China's Guangdong Province allows limited public road testing in specific districts.

East China's Shanghai Municipality focuses on robotaxis and public transportation applications, while Chongqing Municipality in southwest China emphasizes autonomous trucks and freight logistics. All these result in tailored regulations for each area.

Pan put forward a motion to prioritize the development of autonomous driving standards and the introduction of nationwide management standards. After careful deliberation, the suggestion was handed over to the MIIT in collaboration with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) for further study.

The MIIT agreed with Pan's suggestions and actively promoted relevant work, strengthened departmental coordination, and improved relevant policies, regulations and standards.

Guo Shougang, deputy head of the First Department of Equipment Industry of the MIIT, told China Media Group (CMG) that "the MIIT has fully taken note of suggestions and proposed measures from deputies. It has successively released a standard system for intelligent connected vehicles, organized numerous demonstration tests, and implemented the upgraded standards for intelligent connected vehicles."

"[We should] implement the standards through pilot projects. Efforts will be made to organize pilot projects for intelligent connected vehicle access and road tests, as well as city-level integration pilot projects," said Guo, adding that more concrete work is expected in the first half of this year.