**Abstract:** On November 28, 2023, the Beijing-Xiong'an Expressway (Hebei Section) Autonomous Driving Test Demonstration Project, led by the Hebei Tsinghua Development Research Institute and in collaboration with Tsinghua University's Department of Automation, entered its formal testing phase. The project marks a significant milestone in China's efforts to advance autonomous driving technology, particularly in the context of long-distance highway operations. The launch ceremony for the first batch of autonomous driving test vehicles was held at the Beijing-Xiong'an Expressway (Hebei Section) branch of Hebei Highways Group. Key attendees included Zhang Hongjun, Chief Engineer of Hebei Highways Group; Ma Jiangang, Commander of the Baoding Brigade of the Hebei Provincial Highway Traffic Police Corps; Li Chunjie, Director of the Technology Innovation Management Department at Hebei Highways Group; Gao Jianguo, Party Secretary and General Manager of the Beijing-Xiong'an Expressway (Hebei Section) branch; Professor Zhang Yi from Tsinghua University's Department of Automation and a Fellow of the Chinese Association for Artificial Intelligence; Professor Yao Danya, also from the Department of Automation and the Chief Expert of the National 863 Project "Key Technology Research on Intelligent Vehicle-Road Coordination"; and Associate Professor Hu Jianming from the same department. The Beijing-Xiong'an Expressway (Hebei Section) is notable as the first open-environment intelligent driving test highway in Hebei Province, officially recognized as a "vehicle-road dual-certification highway." This designation underscores the highway's advanced infrastructure and regulatory framework, designed to support autonomous vehicle testing and development. Professor Yao Danya highlighted that this project represents a domestic first in testing a three-vehicle platoon of heavy-duty trucks on a long-distance highway, focusing on the integration of vehicle, road, and cloud technologies. The testing aims to address various coupling issues between autonomous driving and traffic management, paving the way for technological advancements and setting a benchmark for industry-academia collaboration in the field of autonomous driving. Gao Jianguo emphasized the broader implications of the project, noting its potential to accelerate the development of smart transportation and autonomous driving industries in Hebei Province. By fostering a deeper integration of intelligent vehicles, smart roads, and coordinated cloud systems, the project is expected to revolutionize travel modes, enhance traffic structure and operational efficiency, and contribute to the creation of new economic growth points. The project is part of a larger "vehicle-road-cloud integration" framework, which seeks to develop and implement a comprehensive control system and service structure for highway autonomous driving. This framework is designed to ensure that autonomous vehicles can operate safely and efficiently on highways, while also providing valuable data and insights for further research and development. The involvement of Tsinghua University, a leading institution in the field of automation and artificial intelligence, underscores the project's commitment to cutting-edge technology and rigorous testing standards. The collaborative effort with companies such as Beijing StarCloud Interconnect Technology, Karl Power (Beijing) Technology, and Shijiazhuang Broad Road Traffic Highway Engineering Facilities Co., Ltd., further highlights the project's interdisciplinary and industry-focused approach. Overall, the Beijing-Xiong'an Expressway (Hebei Section) Autonomous Driving Test Demonstration Project is a significant step towards realizing the vision of smart highways and autonomous driving in China, with potential impacts on both technological innovation and economic development. **Key Elements:** - **Project Launch:** November 28, 2023 - **Location:** Beijing-Xiong'an Expressway (Hebei Section), Hebei Province, China - **Key Participants:** Hebei Tsinghua Development Research Institute, Tsinghua University's Department of Automation, Hebei Highways Group, and various technology companies - **Significance:** First open-environment intelligent driving test highway in Hebei Province, testing a three-vehicle platoon of heavy-duty trucks - **Framework:** "Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration" to address coupling issues between autonomous driving and traffic management - **Expected Outcomes:** Technological advancements, industry benchmarks, and economic growth in smart transportation and autonomous driving sectors **Date of Publication:** December 17, 2024 **Source:** Tsinghua University News Network