J3016

J3016 is a SAE International standard titled Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to On-Road Motor Vehicle Automated Driving Systems. It provides a common vocabulary for describing automated driving technologies, their capabilities, and related concepts to help regulators, manufacturers, researchers, and the public speak a common language.

A central feature of J3016 is the definition of driving automation levels, commonly cited as levels 0 through 5. Level 0 denotes no automation, with the human driver responsible for all tasks. Level 1 introduces a single automated function in addition to the driver’s supervision. Level 2 combines multiple automated functions but still requires the driver to supervise and be ready to intervene. Level 3 describes conditional automation, where the system can handle most driving tasks in defined conditions, but the driver must be prepared to take over when the system requests. Level 4 provides high automation within a defined Operational Design Domain, potentially allowing operation without driver intervention, though outside its ODD the system may not function. Level 5 represents full automation with no driver or human oversight required across all conditions within the vehicle’s design.

The standard also defines the Operational Design Domain (ODD) as the specific set of conditions under which an automated driving system is designed to operate, including factors such as roads, speed range, and environmental conditions. It addresses roles of human occupants and vehicle systems, and clarifies how oversight and takeover responsibilities change across levels.

J3016 serves as a foundational reference in regulatory discussions, consumer labeling, and industry development, and it has been updated over time to reflect evolving technology and industry practice.