National Research Coordinator (KKPB)
The Motor Transport Institute (ITS) has officially become the National Coordinator for Research Activities (KKPB) – the public authority responsible for supervising research and testing of automated vehicles on public roads in Poland. This marks the country's first comprehensive system for monitoring and harmonising research into automated and autonomous mobility, based on legislation adopted at the end of 2025.
Poland is consistently developing a framework that supports the safe deployment of autonomous technologies. On 24 June, the date on which the amendment to the Road Traffic Act of 21 November 2025 (Journal of Laws 2025, item 1843) entered into force, the National Coordinator for Research Activities (KKPB) was officially established. The KKPB is a specialised authority responsible for overseeing the testing of automated and fully automated vehicles on public roads. The role of the Coordinator is performed by the Director of the Motor Transport Institute, acting under the supervision of the minister responsible for transport.
“The National Coordination of Research Activities is the foundation for the safe development of autonomous mobility in Poland. Clear procedures and state supervision allow us to conduct research responsibly while supporting innovations that will genuinely improve transport safety and efficiency,” says Prof. Marcin Ślęzak, Director of the Motor Transport Institute (ITS).
Responsibilities of the National Coordinator for Research Activities
The amendment to the Road Traffic Act standardises and harmonises the rules governing research involving Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5 automated vehicles (the successive stages of driving automation as defined by SAE International). The KKPB is responsible for issuing permits, maintaining a public register, verifying compliance of research activities with applicable regulations, and cooperating with foreign supervisory authorities on cross-border projects.
In practice, the KKPB verifies whether research activities comply with the issued permit, appoints observers, assesses risk analyses, and immediately reports any road incident involving a research vehicle to the relevant authorities, together with audio and video recordings provided by the organisation conducting the research.
The procedure for obtaining a research permit is precisely defined in the Act and implementing regulations. It includes, among other requirements, a risk analysis compliant with the ISO 26262 standard, installation of audio and video recording equipment in the vehicle, submission of a declaration confirming that the research will not endanger road safety, and payment of an administrative fee. A research permit may cover a maximum of five provinces (voivodeships) and remains valid for up to three years.
“Our goal is to ensure that the process of obtaining research permits is as transparent and user-friendly as possible. We place particular emphasis on providing high-quality service and efficient administrative proceedings while fully complying with all legal requirements. The Polish Code of Administrative Procedure, under which we operate, clearly defines the timetable for processing applications,” adds Aneta Gierszewska, MSc, a member of the team supporting the National Coordinator for Research Activities.
National Contact Point
The new authority also has an important international dimension. The KKPB serves as Poland's national contact point for foreign coordinating authorities, enabling cross-border research projects to be conducted in accordance with European regulations. As a result, Poland participates in the exchange of information and coordination of supervisory activities for research projects carried out simultaneously in more than one country.
“The new system brings order and professionalism to autonomous vehicle testing. It is far more than an administrative function—it is a practical tool for quality assurance, risk assessment and international cooperation. Thanks to this framework, Polish companies and universities can conduct research at a level comparable with Europe's leading research centres,” explains Dr Eng. Mikołaj Kruszewski, a member of the team supporting the National Coordinator for Research Activities.
Benefits of Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Entrusting the Motor Transport Institute with the role of the National Coordinator for Research Activities forms part of Poland's broader strategy for developing autonomous technologies.
According to the Institute's analyses, autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly improve road safety. Human error is a decisive factor in approximately 90% of road accidents, while intelligent automated systems could reduce the number of accidents by as much as 30%. In Poland alone, this could translate into several thousand fewer road accidents every year.
Autonomous vehicles also offer the potential to improve transport efficiency, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance mobility for older people and persons with disabilities. In addition, the establishment of the KKPB is expected to support economic development, particularly in light of the growing shortage of professional drivers, currently estimated at around 200,000 in Poland.
It is also worth recalling that Poland is simultaneously developing major research initiatives such as DARTS PL – a national database of testing scenarios and sensor data being developed by the Motor Transport Institute and the Warsaw University of Technology on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure. The project will provide unique data collected under Polish road conditions, essential for training artificial intelligence algorithms and advancing automated driving systems.
