Autonomous Vehicle Testing

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are subject to numerous regulatory, performance, and liability constraints, each of which requires validation and verification. Testing typically begins at the design level and continues through prototyping to manufacture. This chapter examines the seven areas of testing that are relevant to AVs, with testing areas that fall into the broad categories of simulation and real-world or field testing. Each of these areas focuses on distinct aspects of AV technology and AV systems, including AV technologies testing, mechanical testing, software and cybersecurity data testing, combined system testing, complete vehicle testing, systems of systems testing, and version testing. Some current AV test facilities in North America are also described.