From today, autonomous freight trucks will run on all sections of the highway.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that starting from the 5th, the autonomous vehicle demonstration zones will be expanded from four existing highway routes to all 44 routes nationwide. This covers a total distance of 5,224 km and is an area designated for autonomous vehicle research and demonstration operations with regulatory exemptions.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport established the foundation for the commercialization of autonomous freight transportation services when some sections of the Gyeongbu Expressway were designated as a pilot operation zone in December last year.

Subsequently, the autonomous driving industry proposed changes to transportation routes based on traffic conditions and the establishment of new routes to meet new transportation demands. In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reviewed and approved a plan on the 4th to designate all sections of the domestic expressway as a pilot operation zone. Additionally, 19 interchanges and connecting roads between logistics facilities were designated as pilot operation zones to facilitate smooth passage of autonomous vehicles between expressways and logistics warehouses.

 

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport explained that the safety concerns are because "highways are continuous traffic roads without pedestrians or traffic lights," and that "considering the Korea Expressway Corporation's highway safety management capabilities, the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Operation Zone Committee judged that applying safety measures across all sections would not pose any problems."

With the expansion of the demonstration operation zone, the autonomous freight paid transportation service is also scheduled to be launched in earnest.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has relaxed the criteria for paid freight transportation permits, reflecting industry opinions.

Previously, prior operation records were required, but now the operation period under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's Regulatory Sandbox will also be recognized. Additionally, for 'unspecified cargo' such as parcel delivery, which makes it difficult to measure loading volume, different criteria will be applied.

 

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to quickly approve companies' transportation permits after conducting safety verification tests such as high-speed pre-tests.

Furthermore, as the scope of the pilot operation area expands and the number of autonomous vehicles increases, thorough safety measures will be established.

On the 28th of last month, we held a meeting to establish a cooperative system with the Korea Transportation Safety Authority and the National Police Agency, among others, to prepare safety measures for autonomous vehicle accidents that may occur on highways.

Kim Hong-mok, Director of the Mobility and Automotive Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "The introduction of autonomous driving is expected to create a safe transportation environment free of speeding and fatigue, and also contribute to reducing transportation costs through improved fuel efficiency."

He also added, "We will support our autonomous driving companies to secure leadership in the global market."

 

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They say safety measures are in place, but autonomous freight trucks are already running on the highway?

 

I just hope that major accidents don't happen..

 

I'm already worried because accidents related to trucks are all major accidents..ㅠ.ㅠ