Standards Development

Scope

This BSI Flex gives guidance for selecting the minimal risk manoeuvres (MRMs) and minimal risk conditions (MRCs) that highly automated vehicles (AVs) require when the automated driving system (ADS) is degraded or fails, or when other events demand.

It provides a framework for consideration of the risks involved in AV manoeuvres and the risks related to the conditions at the location where the vehicle stops, with the objective of minimizing the overall risk and achieving the safest possible outcome. The nature of the event triggering the MRM is key to selecting the combined MRM and MRC with the lowest overall risk.

This BSI Flex covers:

• functionality or manoeuvres beyond the normal expected behaviour of an ADS;
• the new minimal risk event (MRX) concept, combining MRM, MRC and MRX trigger;
• categorizing MRMs by the risks involved;
• categorizing MRCs by the risks involved; and
• combining MRM and MRC, and selecting the lowest overall risk using MRX trigger information.

This BSI Flex applies to AVs used in developmental testing, advanced trials and deployment. It covers prototype vehicles, passenger and freight carrying services, as bound by and proportionate to the relevant operational design domain (ODD). It is primarily intended to apply to the operation of AVs on public roads.

This BSI Flex reflects existing good practice, but it is not exhaustive.

This BSI Flex does not cover:

• functionality or manoeuvres associated with the normal expected behaviour of an ADS;
• changes of destination or route requested by passengers;
• manoeuvres or control functions independent of an ADS;
• manoeuvres that do not result in the AV stopping at an MRC; or
• manoeuvres requested or commanded by any external agent (e.g. safety enforcement agency).

This BSI Flex supports organizations developing, operating, regulating and certifying AVs or an ADS.

It might also be of use to road authorities, local authorities, emergency services, testbeds, vehicle agencies and insurers.