{"id":4642,"date":"2017-01-15T15:17:55","date_gmt":"2017-01-15T15:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.tiaonline.org\/2018\/05\/08\/usdot-to-develop-national-rules-for-self-driving-cars-within-the-next-six-months\/"},"modified":"2018-05-25T19:01:41","modified_gmt":"2018-05-25T19:01:41","slug":"usdot-to-develop-national-rules-for-self-driving-cars-within-the-next-six-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tiaonline.org\/usdot-to-develop-national-rules-for-self-driving-cars-within-the-next-six-months\/","title":{"rendered":"USDOT to Develop National Rules for Self-Driving Cars within the Next Six Months"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) took a major step in the right direction when it comes to embracing self-driving car technology. The department announced<\/a> updated policy guidance on autonomous vehicles, along with a 2017 budget request that includes $4 billion over 10 years for autonomous vehicle pilot programs.<\/p>\n

Autonomous vehicles have enormous safety potential in crash avoidance and a policy approach that does not inhibit development is essential to preserving lives on American roadways. Demand for enhanced safety has led numerous states to allow companies to experiment with this technology to realize the potential benefits automated vehicles have on highway safety, fuel consumption, and traffic congestion. But is has also led to a growing patchwork of inconsistent rules. For this reason alone, it was vital for USDOT to weigh in with updated guidance.<\/p>\n

We are also pleased to see that USDOT is working to address TIA\u2019s previously expressed concerns<\/a> regarding technology neutral policies and public consultation. Specifically, the department\u2019s updated guidance states that:<\/p>\n