Acting Traffic Commissioner for the West Midlands, Miles Dorrington, discussed the role of regulators amid developments in technology and alternative fuels at the UKCOA Annual Conference on 13 March.
In particular, he highlighted compliance with the Bus Open Data Service (BODS), the implications of the 2025 launch of connected and automated/autonomous mobility (CAM) as discussed in a Department of Transport (DfT) report, and legislation changes relating to the 1981 Road Traffic Act.
One area of concern for Mr Dorrington was BODS, where he noted that compliance rates were falling short of expectations.
It comes after DfT partner in the scheme, KPMG, reported that only 70% of operators in England within scope are providing the necessary automatic vehicle location data. Mr Dorrington warned that that data could be passed on to DVSA, which will be targeting operators with poor compliance and investigating potential penalties.
Moving on to the topic of CAM and alternative fuels, Mr Dorrington highlighted the benefits of new technology, including better and more reliable services, cheaper fuel with alternatives such as hydrogen, and potentially a solution to the driver shortage. It will also release some operators from obligations to comply with drivers’ hours and potentially, for fully autonomous vehicles, the need for an O-Licence.
Mr Dorrington also noted potential negatives of autonomous vehicles, such as the psychological battle of convincing passengers to use them; the question of the role of drivers in the future of the industry; and the “front-loaded cost” of switching to alternative fuels alongside autonomous vehicles.
He further raised concerns about the availability of charging points for electric vehicles and the time it would take to charge, the latter presenting a need for a review of drivers’ hours rules to facilitate the additional time as a new activity.
CAM will affect not just the industry but the regulators, who will need to adapt their approach to new technologies.
DfT’s paper on CAM suggests that fully autonomous vehicles will be the responsibility of the manufacturer, but semi-autonomous vehicles presents a “slightly more murky” scenario. Mr Dorrington believes there will be “a huge amount of push and pull” on this subject, and where operators sit during the transition to autonomous vehicles. Where some fleets require regulation by a Traffic Commissioner and others do not, he suggests there could potentially be a “two-tier system” of regulation.
“I think it needs to be thought through carefully,” Mr Dorrington adds, but says he is positive about the future of the industry. He further stresses that the Traffic Commissioners are there to help, and taking away licences is a last resort. “I, for one, have taken a relatively soft touch. I want to encourage everyone to be given the chance to expand, and I’m not going to get het up on the little details. I’m a big picture person.”
