The pop in my job – my motivations: Working in a unique world class facility testing thee newest technologies with the brightest minds in a country and geographic region I love.

Zala ZONE, the proving ground project near Zalaegerszeg, Hungary is unique in its integration of the testing of both classic vehicle dynamics and the multiple testing possibilities for autonomous vehicles and autonomous vehicle modules, as well as validation testing for electric vehicles. Phase 1 of the project is to be completed by September 2018, opening the Proving Ground for operation. The primary users of the proving ground will be the R&D divisions of the vehicle industry’s OEMs, Tier1 and Tier2 suppliers, established companies from the telecommunication technologies sector, and start-up from both the IT and vehicle sector. The project is being realized on a 250-ha area. Phase 1 of the PG project includes the realization of the following: dynamic platform, special surface module for brake testing, a high-speed handling course for driveability tests, and the modules connecting roads. Additionally, in Phase 1, a dedicated urban zone or smart city environment will be developed, making it possible for repeatable tests of special traffic situations to be created. The testing opportunities of the proving ground will be extended by both an urban public road testing environment in the nearby City of Zalaegerszeg, as well as rural road and highway testing opportunities provided by the special 4 lane test road R76 together with other Hungarian, Slovenian, and Austrian roads. The inclusion of Hungarian, Slovenian, and Austrian test roads make the Zala Zone extended proving ground project currently the only known tri-national proving ground and autonomous vehicle test bed project in Europe.