Automated and connected road mobility is one of the major technological trends of recent years. This technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we travel on our roads and highways. In this context, the French government set up a national strategy for automated and connected road mobility in 2018, which has recently been updated (January 2023).

The national strategy for automated and connected road mobility aims to promote the emergence of these solutions in France and to integrate them smoothly and safely.

With this in mind, Roland Lescure, Minister Delegate for Industry, Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Telecommunications and Clément Beaune, Minister Delegate for Transport are presenting four priority actions to support the deployment of automated and connected road mobility services in the territories.

After five months of consultation, Anne-Marie Idrac submitted her proposals to the ministers on 10 February concerning the updating of the national strategy for the development of automated vehicles. The roadmap provides for :

These proposals aim to promote industrialisation, commercialisation and deployment, drawing on the know-how of the players and the regulatory framework of France to position it as a leader in the deployment of the most relevant and achievable use cases

The implementation of this strategy is illustrated by the development of a regulatory framework and the establishment of funding programmes consistent with the evolution of mobility services. The 2018-2022 period was largely devoted to passenger transport use cases, and more particularly public passenger transport, with the publication of a regulation allowing for the supervision of automated transport systems without a driver on board and on pre-defined routes.

The updated strategy has given greater emphasis to connectivity, mobility services and also freight transport. On this last point, CARA (in charge of the Automated Freight Transport and Logistics component of the France Véhicules Autonomes programme) has been working for several years now with the Directorate General for Infrastructure, Transport and Mobility to accelerate the deployment of use cases in three main areas (closed sites, last mile logistics, long distance transport). In addition to closed sites for which the regulatory framework exists (Machinery Directive), traffic on public roads could develop, requiring certain regulatory interventions under the strategy, with probably forms of “hybrid” traffic environments (transport between two closed sites, from hub to hub, deliveries in mixed spaces such as car parks, shopping areas or traffic-calmed areas); certain standardisation issues could appear and intermodality will have to be taken into account.

In order to contribute to the above-mentioned priority actions, the State plans to work on deployment prospects (assessments, identification of development factors by 2030, skills and training requirements), regulations (and in particular on demonstrating security), connectivity and data (priorities, functional requirements, territorial coverage, data specification and secure architecture) as well as coordination (increased involvement of local authorities, connectivity and logistics players).