China Advances Unmanned Vehicle Commercialization with Autonomous Car Highway Opening

Partial Opening of Shanghai Ring Expressway and Shanghai-Beijing Expressway
Issuance of Intelligent Cargo Truck Operation Permits at Shanghai Yangsan Port

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] China has taken a rapid step toward the commercialization of autonomous vehicles by opening a dedicated highway for self-driving cars.

On the 8th, according to China Economic Net and Xinhua Net, Shanghai traffic authorities allowed autonomous vehicles to enter the 21.5 km Jiading District ring highway and a 19.5 km section of the Shanghai?Beijing highway. They also issued operation certificates for intelligent network-equipped freight trucks to operate at Shanghai Yangshan Port.

Jiading District in Shanghai is considered a mecca for autonomous vehicles in China. Since 2020, Shanghai traffic authorities have encouraged autonomous vehicle pilot operations, starting with the pilot service of autonomous taxis (robo-taxis).

Xinhua Net reported that Shanghai has conducted 15,000 real-world tests on 926 autonomous vehicle roads. The opening of a dedicated autonomous vehicle highway section allows high-speed operation of self-driving cars, which is interpreted as a sign of progress in autonomous driving technology.

Along with the highway opening, Shanghai traffic authorities announced the "Implementation Rules for the Pilot Operation of Shanghai Intelligent Connected Vehicles," releasing operational guidelines for autonomous vehicles (including the scope of autonomous vehicle entities, routes, and operating conditions), according to Chinese media.

Additionally, Shanghai traffic authorities issued intelligent freight truck operation certificates to Shanghai Haitong International Logistics and Shanghai Youdaozitu (a subsidiary of SAIC Smart Commercial Vehicles), allowing them to operate at Yangshan Port.

The Shanghai Transportation Commission stated, "Intelligent freight trucks will operate with safety personnel on board," and "if safety is ensured, commercial operation of unmanned freight trucks without safety personnel will be permitted."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.