Operational Design Domain for Automated Driving Systems: Taxonomy Definition and Application

Abstract

To allow the large-scale deployment of automated and connected vehicles, their safety must be ensured. The Operational Design Domain (ODD) aims to define under which conditions an Automated Driving System (ADS) can operate safely: speed, type of road, weather conditions, etc. Clearly identifying the characteristics and boundaries of the ODD is an important issue today for ADS. To this end, the design and use of an ODD taxonomy seems to be a relevant approach considered by both the industrial and academic worlds. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an analysis and comparison of the main existing taxonomies. We also define a new generic taxonomy, combining the different approaches proposed in the literature, applicable to both vehicles and road sections. Then, this taxonomy is applied to a specific use case (Bus Station Automated Service). Finally, we identify potential directions for an extended ODD taxonomy.