New International Standard published for “Automated Valet Parking Systems” Formulated by Japan

1. Background

When car users visit large-scale commercial facilities, such as shopping malls, large complexes, theme parks, and airports they often feel frustrated by having difficulties to find convenient park place. They often end up park at far away when nearby parking place is not available. In addition, effective usage of the parking place is not enough in urban area because the gap between parked cars cannot be minimized.

To resolve such issues, many countries, including Japan, Europe, US, and China, have been investigating the practical application of automated valet parking systems (AVPSs) using automated driving technology. Under these circumstances, it was considered highly important to develop internationally-harmonized standards for system operations, procedures, and specifications for the interface between vehicles and infrastructures.

Japan proposed to standardize the AVPSs, and jointly developed an international standard with Germany to promote the wider global deployment of the system with common functions and methods. The standard is based on the results which were obtained from Japan’s research and development of the vehicle control technologies and system demonstration. *(1)

2. Outline of the standard

The AVPS is a system that automatically drives the vehicle unmanned through the parking lot. After a user gets off the vehicle at the entrance of a parking lot, the car automatically travels to the designated parking spot and parks itself, and then automatically returns to the designated location to be picked up when requested. This standard stipulates a series of behaviors and procedures for AVPSs, from reserving a parking space and handing over the vehicle to the service provider of the parking lot, to automated driving operation within the parking lot and parking the vehicle, and finally picking up the vehicle by the user.

In addition, this system has achieved Level 4 automated driving technologies,*(2) in which an unoccupied vehicle and a certain infrastructure in a parking lot collaboratively drive the vehicle within the parking lot. As the vehicle and the infrastructure are independent from each other in this system, an interface for their harmonization is important.

The standard stipulates the specifications for three types of interfaces by system configuration in order to accommodate various methods around the world. The three types are: Type 1, where the vehicle controls itself, Type 2, where the infrastructure controls the vehicle, and Type, 3 where the vehicle and infrastructure collaborate with each other. In particular, Type 3 is a system that was examined in the Demonstration Project for Automated Valet Parking Systems planned by the Subcommittee on Business Discussions on Autonomous Driving Technologies, a body jointly organized by METI and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan. Concerning Type 3, a system demonstration experiment was conducted and the details of the technology were established in Japan. In developing the standard, these detailed outcomes were incorporated into the standard as they were, and the international standard was successfully established in conformity with Japan’s concept.

Japan submitted a proposal for a new standard in April 2017 to the ISO / TC204 (intelligent transport systems) / WG14 (vehicle/roadway warning and control systems), in which Japan serves as a convenor, on July 13, 2023, the ISO published the new international standard.

3. Expected effects

The standard is expected to enable businesses to develop the functions/systems for both vehicles and parking infrastructures involving automated valet parking based on common definitions and also enable vehicles made by different manufacturers to make use of a variety of parking lots. This system is expected to contribute not only to the early achievement of Level 4 automated driving technologies but also to accelerating the implementation of the AVPSs into society.

The dissemination of this system is considered to bring about many advantages. For example, the system would contribute to the efficient use of parking spaces, e.g., enabling to park car as close as possible to the next car, and reduction of accidents within parking lots. In addition, it is also expected to remove the burdens on users of parking manipulation and searching and waiting for vacant parking space, thereby improving user-friendliness and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, this system also makes it possible to provide services such as EV charging and car washing, while the vehicle is parked in the parking lot, which contributes to effective use of time during parking. Furthermore, with a large drop-off and pickup area located close to shops or other destinations for users, users will be able to drop off and pick up their vehicles in a safe manner, and this will enable the development of more user-friendly environments even for the elderly and wheelchair users. In addition, if this system is applied to certain businesses, including the logistic industry and in-plant conveyance operations, it is likely to help such businesses to overcome labor shortages. As seen in these examples, the system has the great potential for future growth of society.

Related Links

• International Organization for Standardization
• ITS Standardization Activities of ISO/TC204 2022, the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc.

Divisions in Charge

• Information on the international standard:

  International Standardization Division, Industrial Science, Technology and Environment Policy Bureau

• Information on autonomous driving:

  Mobility DX Office, Automobile Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau