Nanshan District has officially issued the trial measures for piloting the commercial operation of intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs), with the aim to accelerate the development and application of intelligent connected vehicle technology. The set of guidelines came into effect on Feb. 5 and is set to run for a period of two years, paving the way for a new era of transportation.

The pilot program will encompass ICVs engaged in commercial operations, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and specialized operation vehicles. These ICVs will be required to have drivers on board, with a ratio of at least one safety officer for every three unmanned commercial operation pilot vehicles.

To qualify for the unmanned commercial operation pilot, vehicles must meet at least one of the following criteria: Each vehicle must have completed a minimum of 1,200 hours or 5,000 kilometers of commercial operation pilot within the proposed road sections and areas of Nanshan in autonomous driving mode, with an average trip distance of no less than 100 kilometers and a spotless record of no liability traffic accidents. Alternatively, vehicles must have obtained the qualification for unmanned demonstration application in Shenzhen, with a minimum of 240 hours or 1,000 kilometers of operation without any responsible traffic accidents.

The initial application for the commercial operation pilot is capped at 30 vehicles. However, pilot subjects that successfully operate within Nanshan for a cumulative distance exceeding 20,000 kilometers without any liability traffic accidents may apply to add more vehicles of the same model, system, and architecture. For new additions, the first application batch will undergo automatic driving function testing at a 10% rate. Subsequent applications will have sampling ratios determined by a joint working group, considering industry technological advancements and the activities of entities in the district.

Pilot subjects are mandated to set reasonable service prices, disclose charging standards and pricing rules, and adhere to transparent pricing practices. The measures also address accident and illegal handling, ensuring clear protocols are in place for such occurrences.