Once again, The Netherlands topped the rankings of countries most ready for autonomous vehicles, followed by Singapore, Norway, the U.S. and Sweden. Global consulting firm KPMG's 2019 Autonomous Vehicles Readiness Index (AVRI) is intended to provide an understanding of various countries’ preparedness and openness to AV technology.

According to the AVRI, the 10 countries most prepared for the future of autonomous transportation of those indexed are:

Highlights from the top ranked countries include:

• The Netherlands, ranked number one for a second year, is working with neighbors to adopt AV technology for freight, with a plan to launch platoons of more than 100 driverless trucks on major routes from Amsterdam to Antwerp and Rotterdam to the Ruhr valley.

• With a leading university, second-ranked Singapore has created a test town for driverless vehicles complete with traffic lights, bus stops, skyscrapers and a rain machine to recreate its extremely wet, tropical weather.

Based on the 2018 AVRI results, five new countries were added for 2019.

1 Norway (#3) - The country legalized AV testing on public roads and operators have started small-scale autonomous bus services. An autonomous taxi pilot is slated for 2019.

2 Finland (#6) - Finland is focusing on getting AVs to work in winter conditions and automated bus services. The country is also repainting the yellow lines on its roads to an AV-friendly white.

3 Israel (#14) - Israel's strength in AVs lies in its export-focused technology sector, which helps the country top the index's technology and innovation pillar as well as specific measures of industry partnerships, investment and headquarters.

4 Czech Republic (#19) - New AV test sites, supporting the country's top rating for AV pilots, are likely to strengthen Czech Republic's reputation as a local vehicle manufacturer.

5 Hungary (#21) - Legislative changes, commercial pilots of AVs at a new test track and an active AV startup community distinguished Hungary's debut on the list.

Consumer opinion poll finds mixed feelings on AVs globally

New this year, KPMG conducted a consumer opinion research project to better understand consumer sentiment on AVs. The findings revealed a correlation between countries lower in the rankings having the most consumer interest in AVs. These countries include India (#24) and Mexico (#23).

The Index provides an in-depth view of what it takes for countries to meet the challenges of self-driving vehicles, evaluating the preparedness of a cross-section of 25 countries — up from 20 in the inaugural year of the AVRI — globally. Each country is evaluated against four pillars: policy and legislation; technology and innovation, infrastructure, and consumer acceptance. Within the four pillars are 25 factors that reflect everything from legislation allowing AVs to operate to the condition of roads.

Full 2019 rankings reveal shifts from 2018

The 2019 AVRI rankings showed some movement from the inaugural rankings in 2018, with high-ranking newcomers among the five new entrants for 2019.