Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao Touts Department’s Approach to Autonomous Policy
An update of federal guidelines on autonomous technology that would encompass trucks, transit systems, infrastructure, cars and other modes of transportation will emphasize safety, the country’s top transportation officer said Aug. 8.
In our second episode of RoadSigns, we ask: How will the next levels of automation be deployed? Hear a snippet from Chuck Price, vice president of product at TuSimple, above, and get the full program by going to RoadSigns.TTNews.com.
Speaking at a conference hosted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, Secretary Elaine Chao noted the U.S. Department of Transportation’s upcoming automated vehicle regulations also would be performance-based and as nonprescriptive as possible.
“So we want to work with the states and localities to avoid a patchwork of confusing or conflicting rules that could inhibit innovation and make it more difficult for automated vehicles to cross state lines,” Chao said. “The department recognizes that autonomous vehicles will need to have the capability to operate side-by-side with, you know, like transitional, traditional vehicles in both urban and rural areas.”
During a policy summit at DOT headquarters in March, the secretary said the new policy, known as AV 3.0, could be released this summer.
On Capitol Hill, meanwhile, legislation advanced by the Senate Commerce Committee aimed at facilitating the development of self-driving vehicles has yet to be scheduled for floor debate. The House advanced similar legislation last year. Trucking policy and directives are absent in both versions.
