Beijing is embarking on an ambitious plan to create a 3,000-square-kilometer autonomous driving demonstration zone. This initiative, which will take place between the fourth and sixth ring roads, represents nearly one-fifth of Beijing's total land area. According to reports from Xinhua News Agency, this announcement was made in conjunction with the World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference held in the city.

This development builds on the progress made in establishing a high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone that was initially proposed in 2020, covering 600 square kilometers. The deployment of intelligent roadside facilities has been completed in this area, laying the groundwork for further advancements in autonomous vehicle technology.

Notably, the demonstration zone has attracted several prominent companies, including Baidu, Pony.ai, WeRide, Neolix, and JD.com. These collaborations are pivotal as they encompass a diverse array of applications, notably smart connected passenger vehicles, unmanned delivery systems, autonomous patrols, trunk logistics, and automated sanitation, thereby fostering innovation in multiple sectors.

As of now, the zone has approved road testing licenses for 33 companies, facilitating nearly 900 vehicles to engage in autonomous driving tests. This testing initiative has led to impressive results, with a reported testing mileage exceeding 32 million kilometers, which accounts for over a quarter of the national total, underscoring the zone's critical role in the country's autonomous driving landscape.

Furthermore, automated shuttle testing has already begun at key transport hubs, including Beijing Daxing International Airport, Beijing South Station, and Yizhuang Station. The Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu Expressway has also been upgraded to fully support autonomous trunk logistics scenarios, showcasing the integration of autonomous technology into Beijing's transportation infrastructure.

Alongside these advancements in testing and application, Beijing is also focusing on the creation of regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles, as reported by Xinhua. This legislative effort is essential to ensure safe and effective operation of autonomous driving technology within the city and could serve as a model for other regions aiming to implement similar innovations.