RATIONALE & INTRODUCTION:

This AVSC best practice supersedes Best Practice for First Responder Interactions with Fleet-Managed Automated Driving System-Dedicated Vehicles (ADS-DVs) (AVSC00005202012), which was published in 2020. This revision reflects the following updates:

1. Expanded “role definitions.”
2. The use-case scenarios in Section 4 are reordered based on the severity of risk.
3. Table 4 in 5.4 re-created as a checklist and moved to Appendix B.
4. Clarification of sections, examples, and terms throughout the document.

 
Today’s first responders have many well-established procedures to apply to the countless situations they face on the roadways. Standardized frameworks like this best practice may help first responders effectively interact with the growing number of ADS-DVs on public roads. While no document can represent a complete list of situations, this best practice provides a framework of recommended procedures and protocols automated driving system (ADS) developers, manufacturers, and fleet operators can follow to facilitate first responder interactions in multiple use cases.
 
A recommended framework for a First Responder Interaction Plan is also provided. This represents a proactive step in providing consistent information that first responders can use to establish their protocols, procedures, and plans for interacting with ADS-DVs. It is suggested that such an interaction plan be part of an ADS developer’s Safety Management System (SMS). The public will benefit from consistent and documented plans to communicate expected interactions, allowing first responders to continue rendering timely support and ensuring public safety.

RATIONALE & INTRODUCTION:

This AVSC best practice supersedes Best Practice for First Responder Interactions with Fleet-Managed Automated Driving System-Dedicated Vehicles (ADS-DVs) (AVSC00005202012), which was published in 2020. This revision reflects the following updates:

1. Expanded “role definitions.”
2. The use-case scenarios in Section 4 are reordered based on the severity of risk.
3. Table 4 in 5.4 re-created as a checklist and moved to Appendix B.
4. Clarification of sections, examples, and terms throughout the document.

 
Today’s first responders have many well-established procedures to apply to the countless situations they face on the roadways. Standardized frameworks like this best practice may help first responders effectively interact with the growing number of ADS-DVs on public roads. While no document can represent a complete list of situations, this best practice provides a framework of recommended procedures and protocols automated driving system (ADS) developers, manufacturers, and fleet operators can follow to facilitate first responder interactions in multiple use cases.
 
A recommended framework for a First Responder Interaction Plan is also provided. This represents a proactive step in providing consistent information that first responders can use to establish their protocols, procedures, and plans for interacting with ADS-DVs. It is suggested that such an interaction plan be part of an ADS developer’s Safety Management System (SMS). The public will benefit from consistent and documented plans to communicate expected interactions, allowing first responders to continue rendering timely support and ensuring public safety.

SCOPE:

This AVSC best practice recommends a common approach for describing the interactions and associated protocols for incorporating vital information regarding first responder interactions with SAE level 4 and level 5 fleet-operated vehicles by providing the following:

1. Definitions of roles associated with emergency situations/processes.
2. Descriptions of expected interactions (use cases) between first responders and ADS-DVs.
3. Recommendations to address first responder and ADS-DV interactions.
4. Recommendation to ADS-DV developers to create a First Responder Interaction Plan framework

 
Protocols or procedures for determining and assigning responsibility, liability, or fault for the ADS-DV or passengers are not addressed in this best practice. Also out of scope are vehicle maneuvers involving dynamic driving task performance, acquisition of crash reconstruction data, parking-related violations, and wireless communication protocols. First responder interaction with human passengers is not discussed; rather, the focus is on first responder interactions with ADS-DVs. Second responders and other individuals, such as Good Samaritans, bad actors, or bystanders who may interact with ADS-DVs, are also beyond the scope of this best practice.