Method and system for identifying suitable zones for autonomous vehicle operation

A method for identifying suitable zones for autonomous vehicle operation in a geographical area, the method comprising:

• receiving geographical data associated with said geographical area;
• processing the geographical data to determine an area characteristic, wherein the area characteristic comprises at least one of surface material, gradient, planarity, obstacles, geographical orientation, altitude, topography, population movement, travel networks and routes, size, shape and dimension;
• classifying the area characteristic into one or more suitable zone utility groups;
• receiving vehicle data associated with operation of at least one autonomous vehicle operation;
• determining autonomous vehicle utility based on the received autonomous vehicle data;
• comparing the suitable zone utility groups with the autonomous vehicle utility of the, or each, said autonomous vehicle and determining a suitable zone in said geographical area for the, or each, said autonomous vehicle to operate;
• providing a user interface comprising a map;
• and,
• communicating the determined suitable zone in said geographical area for said autonomous vehicle to operate to the user interface for displaying on the map.