Local Governments to Gain Authority Over Autonomous Driving Pilot Zones as Four Transport Bills Pass

[Financial News] Four key bills in the transport and logistics sectors cleared the National Assembly, including a measure to expand the authority to designate autonomous driving pilot operation zones to local governments and to legalize freight transport platforms.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 26th that amendments to the Act on the Promotion of and Support for Commercialization of Autonomous Vehicles, the Cargo Transport Vehicle Act, the Road Act, and the Special Act on the Undergrounding of Railways and Integrated Development of Railway Sites passed the National Assembly plenary session.
The revisions expand the authority to designate autonomous driving pilot operation zones to local governments. They also bring freight transport platforms into the formal regulatory system and strengthen the basis for road safety management and underground railway projects.
Under the revised autonomous vehicle law, local governments will be able to directly designate parts of their jurisdictions as autonomous driving pilot operation zones. Until now, local governments had to apply for designation, which was then made by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Going forward, they will be able to designate and operate these zones on their own, which is expected to expand autonomous driving trials tailored to local conditions. The amendment will take effect three months after promulgation.
The revised Cargo Transport Vehicle Act legalizes freight transport platform businesses for the first time. Platform operators will be managed under a registration system, and they will be required to report illegal practices such as false listings, unlawful brokering and demands for overloading. The law is set to take effect one year after promulgation.
The revised Road Act makes regular inspections by road management authorities mandatory. It also provides a legal basis for the minister to conduct or order emergency inspections when necessary. If inspections show that urgent repairs or reinforcements are needed, safety measures must be taken and the government may cover part of the cost. The amendment will take effect six months after promulgation.
The revised Special Act on the Undergrounding of Railways and Integrated Development of Railway Sites expands the scope of project implementers to include Korea National Railway, local governments and public institutions. It also allows above-ground development projects to be included in underground railway projects. In addition, it establishes a support center and a special account to help local governments carry out the projects.
The ministry said the revisions are expected to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous driving, restore order in the freight transport market, strengthen road safety management and speed up underground railway projects.
[email protected] Choi Ga-young Reporter