Kazakhstan, China Plan Pilot Autonomous Trucking Route Between Countries

Kazakhstan and China plan to launch a pilot project for autonomous freight transportation along an international route between the two countries. The plan follows an agreement to establish a joint center for intelligent transport systems and unmanned technologies. The agreement was signed on Oct. 16 in Astana by Kazakhstan's Road Research Institute and China TransInfo Group, according to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport.

The new Joint Competence Center will focus on intelligent transport systems, autonomous driving and the digitalization of road infrastructure. One of its key priorities will be a pilot project along the China-Kazakhstan international route. Other planned initiatives include automated vehicle weight and dimension control, including weigh-in-motion technology, and a test site for autonomous driving.

The agreement also provides for expert exchanges, professional training, joint seminars and reciprocal visits. Kenzhebek Azatbekov, vice president of KazDorNII, said the center “will serve as a platform for the scientific and technical assessment of advanced digital and unmanned technologies and their adaptation to Kazakhstan's conditions.”