Micro-FESTA for CCAM pilot projects

This document presents Micro-FESTA, a condensed methodology to support small pilot projects of Connected, Cooperative, and Automated Mobility (CCAM).

Micro-FESTA is based on the extensive FESTA Handbook for performing Field Operational Tests (FOTs). The small pilot projects that Micro-FESTA targets may not have the scope or resources to make full use of the FESTA approaches. FESTA discusses large-scale testing campaigns that address a number of research questions in order to scientifically assess the broad societal benefits of a tested system. FOTs aim to be naturalistic tests, where the users get to try out the systems in their daily life over a period of months.

This scope of testing is not necessarily the target in pilot projects. Tests could be bound to small operational areas due to infrastructure and similar requirements, or expensive equipment can only be used for a short period at once. However, small pilot projects can offer a significant contribution to gathering knowledge on the effects of road automation.

The principles on which FESTA methodology is built as well as its practical recommendations can support various types of user and vehicle related tests, and is also of value for small projects. FESTA offers a framework with definitions, categories and worked-out examples. It provides helpful checklists for all phases of a field trial project and discusses best practices from past projects. FESTA has been successfully used already in pilot projects of varying sizes, providing both a scientific structure and efficient methods to run the tests.

This document gives an overview of the main steps in the FESTA methodology and comments their role in small-scale testing. This document can also be used as a first introduction to the full FESTA methodology and available materials.