DOT Maps Path for Wider Deployment of Autonomous Vehicles

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a national strategy report outlining its plan to support the wider deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on American roads. The report, titled ‘America Leads: DOT’s National Strategy for Automated Vehicles,’ identifies the Transportation Department’s current and future critical activities to eliminate red tape, update key regulations, and ensure safety while promoting greater use of AVs. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) plans to amend safety regulations to support oversight of commercial vehicles equipped with automated driving systems, while the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is seeking comments on possible changes to hazardous materials transportation rules related to highly automated transportation systems. The report also highlights the need for digital modernization of interstates, including real-time data sharing along interstate highway systems. The DOT aims to create a seamlessly integrated transportation network where real-time data connectivity transforms how people and goods move across the country. The strategy will provide for strict safety oversight while unlocking the potential for AV technologies to be safely deployed on America’s roads.