Regulations 2026-01-21

This is the initial release of the CAuDri-Challenge 2026 regulations.

Changelog:

Major changes:

• Major restructuring of all chapters
  • New "Chapter 5 - Track Layout" describing all track elements and the general layout
  • Moved all redundant event descriptions to a common section
  • Clearer separation of vehicle requirements, event rules, and track layout
  • Lots of rewording and clarifications throughout the document
• Added scoring system for the Navigation Challenge
  • Score based on the minimum distance required to navigate all landmarks
  • Penalties will be added as additional distance
• Dynamic Obstacles:
  • Dynamic obstacles can now appear anywhere on the track, except for most track elements
  • Strict timing/spacing requirements for obstacles in elements (e.g. Barred Areas) removed/loosened
  • More variable obstacle behavior in intersections (can enter and leave from any direction)
• No more distinction between different sections of the track (suburban vs. rural)
  • Removed all references to "suburban areas" and "rural roads"
  • Speed limits and Expressways remain and are no longer tied to specific sections
  • Other track elements are no longer bound to specific speed limit zones and can generally appear anywhere
• Updated RC-Mode requirements
  • Acoustic signal required when RC-Mode is activated (from 2027 onwards)
  • After leaving the track, the vehicle must be returned to the exact position where it left (within 1m) for all disciplines
  • RC-Mode may be activated inside the startbox, but not actively used (i.e. moving the vehicle)
  • Misuse of RC-Mode (e.g. to gain an advantage) can lead to penalties
• Updated Hardware Requirements (neccessary from 2027 onwards)
  • Requirement for Head- and Taillights
  • Buzzer/speaker required for acoustic signaling of RC-Mode

Minor changes:

• Scoring:
  • Freedrive Course: Distances traveled outside the lane are no longer subtracted from the total distance (see requirement for returning in RC-Mode above)
  • Obstacle Course: Each successful lap around the track will be rewarded with additional points
  • Obstacle Course: Parking maneuvers will be invalidated on collisions (in addition to the collision penalty)
• Added a definition of a "Designated Route"
  • Defined as the main route when leaving the startbox and following all mandatory turns at intersections
  • Used for defining a fixed position/orientation of certain track elements
  • All tracks used in the Freedrive and Obstacle Course must have a clearly defined Designated Route
  • Vehicles are expected to follow the Designated Route (as before, now explicitly defined)
• The "Start Scheduling System" has been extended to cover the timing of all events entirely
• After an attempt is over, the vehicle may not be (re)moved from the track until a signal from the commission is given
• An attempt is now considered valid after the vehicle has left the start box and crossed the starting line
• Minimum length of Expressways reduced to 5m
• Removed the limitation of stop lines to be at opposing entries of an intersection
• Limited the number of pedestrians at a crosswalk to 1
• Added an example navigation circuit
• Added an example of a three-way intersection
• Properly defined the height of the startbox sign
• Clarified the expected behavior of vehicles around track elements in the Freedrive Course
• Clarified lateral misalignments of lane markings
• Clarified conflicting statements regarding obstacles in the left lane

Overview over moved and restructured sections from Chapter 6:

6.0.0 - Dynamic Event overview              -> 7.0
6.0.1 - Parking maneuver disclosure         -> removed
6.1.0 - Referees + Team Referees            -> 7.2.1 + 7.2.2
6.2.0 - Freedrive Overview                  -> 7.3
6.2.1.1 - Lane and Road Layout              -> 5.1
6.2.1.2 - Lane Markings                     -> 5.1.2
6.2.1.3 - Starting Line                     -> 5.1.2
6.2.1.4 - Lane width                        -> 5.1
6.2.1.5 - Lane misalignment                 -> 5.1.2
6.2.1.6 - Center lane markings              -> 5.1.2
6.2.1.7 - Outer lane markings               -> 5.1.2
6.2.1.8 - Side road junctions               -> 5.1.2
6.2.1.9 - Track inclination                 -> 5.1
6.2.1.10 - Missing lane markings            -> 5.1.2
6.2.1.11 - Leaving right lane penalty       -> 7.3.1, 7.4.1, 7.5.1
6.2.1.12 - Freedrive simplifications        -> 7.3.1, 7.3.2
6.2.1.13 - Corner guide signs               -> 5.1.3
6.2.1.14 - Traffic sign placement           -> 5.1.3
6.2.1.15 - Freedrive traffic sign exception -> 7.3.1
6.2.1.16 - Artifacts                        -> 5.1
6.2.2.1 - Freedrive start                   -> 7.1.1, 6.2.2
6.2.2.2 - Freedrive attempts                -> 7.1.2
6.2.3 - Freedrive RC-Mode                   -> 7.1.3
6.2.5.1 - Freedrive scoring                 -> 7.3.3
6.2.5.2 - Freedrive timing                  -> 7.3.3
6.3.0.1 - Obstacle Course overview          -> 7.4.1
6.3.0.2 - Obstacle Course spacing           -> 5.2
6.3.0.3 - Oncoming traffic                  -> removed
6.3.0.4 - Suburban markings                 -> removed
6.3.0.5 - Parking Lot sign                  -> 5.4
6.3.0.6 - Obstacle Course speed limit       -> 5.9
6.3.1.1 - Static obstacles                  -> 5.2.1, 7.4.2
6.3.1.2 - Dynamic obstacles                 -> 5.2.2, 7.4.2
6.3.1.3 - Passing manuevers                 -> 5.2, 7.4.2
6.3.1.4 - Intersection overview             -> 5.3
6.3.11.5 - Intersection straight passing    -> removed
6.3.1.6 - Intersection stop line            -> 5.3, 7.4.2
6.3.1.7 - Intersection right of way         -> 7.4.2
6.3.1.8 - No-Passing zones                  -> 5.5, 7.4.2
6.3.1.9 - Obstacles in No-Passing zones     -> 5.5, 7.4.2
6.3.1.10 - Expressways                      -> 5.8
6.3.2.1 - Traffic sign positioning          -> 5.1.3
6.3.2.2 - Parking lot overview              -> 5.4
6.3.2.3 - Parallel parking                  -> 5.4.1
6.3.2.4 - Perpendicular parking             -> 5.4.2
6.3.2.5 - Parking maneuver (again)          -> 7.4.2
6.3.2.6 - Barred Area overview              -> 5.6
6.3.2.7 - Overtaking in Barred Areas        -> 7.4.2
6.3.2.8 - Crosswalk overview                -> 5.7
6.3.2.9 - Pedestrians                       -> 5.7
6.3.2.10 - Pedestrian vehicle behavior      -> 7.4.2
6.3.2.11 - Extended intersection overview   -> 5.3
6.3.2.12 - Dimensions and give-way lines    -> 5.3
6.3.2.13 - Obstacles in ext. intersections  -> 5.3
6.3.2.14 - Mandatory turns                  -> 5.3, 7.4.2
6.3.3.1 - Obstacle Course start             -> 7.1.1, 6.2.2
6.3.3.2 - Obstacle Course attempts          -> 7.1.2
6.3.4 - Obstacle Course RC-Mode             -> 7.1.3, 7.4.3
6.3.5.1 - Parking attempts                  -> 7.4.2
6.3.5.2 - Parking validation                -> 7.4.2
6.3.6.1 - Obstacle Course scoring           -> 7.4.4
6.3.6.2 - Obstacle Course timing            -> 7.4.4
6.3.6.3 - Obstacle Course evaluation        -> 7.4.4
6.4.0 - Navigation overview                 -> 7.5
6.4.1.1 - Navigation scenario               -> 7.5.1
6.4.1.2 - Navigation speed limits           -> 5.9, 7.5.1
6.4.1.3 - Landmarks                         -> 5.10
6.4.2.1 - Navigation start                  -> 7.1.1, 6.2.2
6.4.2.2 - Navigation attempts               -> 7.1.2, 7.5.2
6.4.2.3 - Navigation mapping phase          -> 7.5.2
6.4.2.4 - Navigation navigation phase       -> 7.5.2
6.4.3 - Navigation RC-Mode                  -> 7.1.3, 7.5.3