ATA’s Chris Spear Named to USDOT Committee on Automation
Chris Spear, President of American Trucking Associations, is one of 25 members of a U.S. Department of Transportation advisory committee on automation that was announced Jan. 11.
“I am grateful to have been chosen by Secretary [Anthony] Foxx to serve on this important panel,” Spear said. “Trucking is vital to the U.S. economy and an important part of our transportation system, so it is imperative that trucking and this association have a seat at the table when it comes to issues like autonomous vehicles, and we will be driving that outcome.
“While large-scale use of autonomous trucks is years away, the policy framework that will govern this future is being debated and ultimately written today, and I look forward to vigorously participating in those discussions on behalf of the trucking industry,” Spear said.
The committee will meet for the first time Jan. 16 to begin working on the development and deployment of automated vehicles, and determining the department’s policy, regulations and research regarding them.
“During my time at the department, we have fostered some of the most significant technological changes to ever take place in transportation, and we did so while keeping our focus on the safety of the American people,” Foxx said in a statement. "This new automation committee will work to advance life-saving innovations while boosting our economy and making our transportation network more fair, reliable, and efficient.”
The committee will be co-chaired by General Motors CEO Mary Barra and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Executives from Amazon, Apple, Delphi Automotive, FedEx, Hyperloop, Lyft, Uber, and the AFL-CIO will join Spear on the committee along with such leaders as Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, National Safety Council President Deborah Hersman, and “Miracle on the Hudson” pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.
According to USDOT, the committee will play a critical role in sharing best practices, challenges, and opportunities in automation as the nation faces an expected population growth of 22% and a predicted 40% rise in freight volumes by 2045.
