133555Certification of Autonomous Vehicles in Synthetic EnvironmentsClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UK"A key element supporting the introduction of Level 4/5 CAV will be the ability to independently certify that such systems are safe, reliable and secure. Not only must governments have methodologies for demonstrating that consumer products are safe, but the public must have confidence in this. While testing and development of CAV has begun in the UK, a certification approach is required to underpin widespread adoption of CAV. Among the options for delivering certification is the use of synthetic environments. Conducting validation of vehicles in simulators enables the creation of an almost limitless number of testing scenarios that are flexible, repeatable and safe. Compared to real-world testing, simulated validation will enable vehicles to be tested rapidly and against a challenging set of conditions that would be difficult to replicate in real life. This study will examine the pre-conditions required for creating such a testing environment, as well as considering the need for such a simulator to be independently certified as an appropriate means of evaluating the safety of CAV."