Switzerland’s Federal Council has announced the passing of an ordinance that will regulate automated driving in the country and come into effect on March 1, 2025. On that date, both the regulation and the corresponding legal articles will enter into force.
The passing of this order follows the Swiss Parliament’s passing of a partial revision to the Road Traffic Act in spring 2023 that created a framework for automated driving. This revision allows for current and future developments in automated driving on Swiss roads to be introduced more quickly. Within the new order, automated driving will be permitted in three cases: on motorways, on officially approved routes, and within designated, and signposted, parking garages and spaces.
On motorways, drivers of automated vehicles will now be able to activate an automated motorway driving pilot. Aligned with SAE Level 3, the motorway pilot allows the user to let go of the steering wheel, with no need for them to constantly monitor the traffic and the vehicle. However, at the same time, they must remain ready to take back control of the vehicle at any time if the automated system prompts them to do so.
The use of driverless vehicles on officially approved routes, themselves approved at the discretion of the cantons, is also permitted. Here, Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) will issue instructions for assessing the routes applied for and set up an accompanying group that can be called upon by the cantons. The driverless vehicles on these routes must be remotely monitored at all times by an operator from a control center.
If the vehicle cannot resolve a situation on its own, it’s automated driving system will ask the operator, for example, to suggest a driving maneuver to the vehicle. While detailing this case, the Swiss government denoted automated driving use cases such as the transportation of goods and covering last-mile passenger transport.
Within designated and signposted parking garages and parking spaces, the Swiss government will also regulate automated parking without the presence of a driver. In this case, cantons and municipalities will assume responsibility for determining suitable parking areas. Responsible authorities for this case should likewise be able to rely on instructions from FEDRO or consult its advisory group when assessing the suitability of requested parking areas.
