Automated Driving Levels

Following several inconsistent attempts to classify the different types and levels of automation, the International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) delivered a harmonised classification system for Automated Driving Systems, in its publication Recommended Practice: SAE J3016: Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to On‐Road Motor Vehicle Automated Driving Systems . This chapter recommends the use of J3016 taxonomy, and explains its key features, adequate for the task of this publication whose purpose is to identify, assess, and suggest strategies to overcome the barriers that face the implementation of automated driving and Mobility as a Service, where the use of a clear and structured taxonomy is essential to understanding the issues. J3016 explains that Levels 1 through 4 expressly contemplate operational design domain limitations. In contrast, Level 5 does not normally have operational design domain limitations. The levels in the J3016 taxonomy are intentionally discrete and mutually exclusive.