The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) is bringing together experts from government, industry, research and the road safety community to examine the safety implications of automated vehicles as they move towards wider deployment on UK roads.
The conference, Automated Vehicles: Setting the Safety Foundations, will take place on Monday 14 December 2026 at Mary Ward House in London, from 10am to 4.30pm.
The event will consider what automated vehicles could mean for roads, streets and the people who use them, with a focus on ensuring safety is built into their deployment from the outset.
It comes ahead of the planned vote on the Government’s Statement of Safety Principles in spring 2027, which will form an important part of the framework for automated vehicle safety.
The programme will explore how different forms of vehicle automation work, the regulatory framework governing their use, and what safety should mean as the technology becomes more widespread.
It will also examine the expectations of the public and road safety community, alongside the potential implications for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and traffic management.
The conference will feature expert presentations, panel discussions and interactive workshops, bringing together different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities presented by automated vehicles.
Confirmed speakers include Professor Richard Cuerden of TRL, Dr Nick Reed of Reed Mobility, Camilla Fowler of WSP and Catherine Woodhead of Living Streets. Further speakers are expected to be announced.
PACTS says the event will build on its existing work and expertise in transport safety and automated vehicle deployment, providing an opportunity to consider how safety principles can be translated into practice.
Early-bird tickets are available until 2 November. Further information and booking details are available on the PACTS conference page or through Eventbrite.
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