ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China plan to launch a pilot project for autonomous freight transportation along an international route between the two countries, following 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.
It will combine China TransInfo Group’s expertise in artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies with the research institute’s experience in road research, standardization and technical regulation. One of the center’s key priorities will be a pilot project for autonomous freight transportation along the China-Kazakhstan international route.
Other planned initiatives include automated vehicle weight and dimension control, including weigh-in-motion technology, and the establishment of a test site for autonomous driving. The parties will also explore the creation of a transport operations control center integrating industry information systems and data-sharing mechanisms.
The agreement provides for expert exchanges, professional training, joint seminars and reciprocal visits. The parties have identified initial activities and next steps for implementing joint projects. “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,” said Kenzhebek Azatbekov, vice president of KazDorNII.
“Our goal is to ensure the implementation of pilot projects and prepare proposals to improve the regulatory and technical framework of the road sector,” he added. The initiative aims to develop Kazakhstan’s intelligent transport infrastructure, strengthen the country’s scientific and technical capabilities, and introduce modern technologies along international transport corridors.