PAS 1884:2021

This standard PAS 1884:2021 Safety operators in automated vehicle testing and trialling. Guide is classified in these ICS categories:

• 03.220.20 Road transport
• 43.020 Road vehicles in general

This PAS gives guidance for organizations engaged in automated vehicle trialling and developmental testing that utilize safety operators who are either inside the subject vehicle or are outside of it with the subject vehicle always remaining in visual line of sight.

The PAS covers:

1. responsibilities of the trialling organization and safety operator;
2. safety operator selection, fitness to drive and experience;
3. training of the safety operator on:
   1. general skills and knowledge required to drive the base subject vehicle;
   2. test or trial-specific topics;
   3. visual line of sight remote operation;
   4. expected subject vehicle behaviour and unexpected subject vehicle behaviour;
   5. minimal risk conditions and minimal risk locations;
   6. the subject vehicle's relevant operational design domain (ODD) and its attributes;
   7. the test or trial route;
   8. eligibility criteria and abort criteria;
   9. hazards and mitigations;
   10. safety protocols;
   11. handover points;
   12. safety and welfare of passengers; and
   13. management of freight;
4. safety operator skills testing and refresher training; and
5. training and performance records.

The PAS applies to both trials and developmental testing, including trials of prototype vehicles, passenger and freight carrying services on both public and private roads or land, as bound by and proportionate to the relevant ODD.

This PAS reflects existing good practice, but it is not exhaustive. Some additional guidelines, relevant to specific vehicle types, use cases and trials, are also provided as good practice.

The PAS does not cover:

1. endorsement of specific safety operator training courses;
2. guidelines for automated supervision of the subject vehicle;
3. when the safety operator is not in visual line of sight of the subject vehicle; or
4. the role of the in-vehicle or remote test engineer.

This PAS is not intended to provide an accreditation or certification system.

PAS 1884 is of use to any trialling organization that trains or utilizes safety operators.

The PAS might also be of use to safety operators, road authorities, local authorities, testbeds, vehicle agencies, insurers and legal organizations.