PACTS conference to set the safety foundations for automated vehicles
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) is hosting a conference on automated vehicle safety in London this December. It will bring together experts from government, industry, research and the road safety community. Their aim is to examine what safety should mean as automated vehicles move towards wider deployment on UK roads.
Automated Vehicles: Setting the Safety Foundations
The conference, Automated Vehicles: Setting the Safety Foundations, takes place on Monday 14 December 2026 at Mary Ward House in London. It runs from 10am to 4.30pm.
The event will consider what automated vehicles could mean for roads, streets and the people who use them. Its focus is on building safety into deployment from the outset.
The timing is significant. The conference comes ahead of the planned vote on the Government’s Statement of Safety Principles in spring 2027. That statement will form an important part of the framework for automated vehicle safety, so delegates will have a chance to discuss the issues before the vote.
What the programme will cover
The programme will explore how different forms of vehicle automation work. It will also look at the regulatory framework that governs their use. Speakers will ask what safety should mean as the technology becomes more widespread.
The conference will examine the expectations of the public and the road safety community. It will also consider the potential implications for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and traffic management. These groups share the road with automated vehicles, so their needs matter as much as those of the vehicle occupants.
Delegates can expect expert presentations, panel discussions and interactive workshops. This mix brings together different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that automated vehicles present.
Confirmed speakers
Confirmed speakers include Professor Richard Cuerden of TRL, Dr Nick Reed of Reed Mobility, Camilla Fowler of WSP and Catherine Woodhead of Living Streets. PACTS expects to announce further speakers in due course.
PACTS says the event will build on its existing work and expertise in transport safety and automated vehicle deployment. It will give attendees an opportunity to consider how safety principles can be put into practice.
Why it matters for fleet operators
Fleet managers and operators have good reason to follow this debate. The rules and safety expectations agreed in the coming months will shape how automated vehicles share the road with conventional vehicles. They may also influence how businesses plan for the technology in the years ahead.
Early-bird tickets are available until today, 2 November. You can find further information and booking details on the PACTS conference page or through Eventbrite.