Skip to main content

Senators tell NHTSA to make way for self-driving cars

US Senators Cory A. Booker and Deb Fisher, members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, have sent a bipartisan letter to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administrator Mark Rosekind to request an update on agency policies related to automated vehicle technology and to urge the NHTSA to embrace policies that promote innovation in and the improved safety benefits of the technology. “These technologies promise to significantly reduce roadway accidents, shorten
March 23, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
US Senators Cory A. Booker and Deb Fisher, members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, have sent a bipartisan letter to 834 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administrator Mark Rosekind to request an update on agency policies related to automated vehicle technology and to urge the NHTSA to embrace policies that promote innovation in and the improved safety benefits of the technology.

“These technologies promise to significantly reduce roadway accidents, shorten commutes, and increase productivity for the American people in the coming years. We look forward to working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to accelerate the safety benefits of this technology and encourage states as they consider its potential,” the senators wrote.

In order to ensure that Congress effectively partners with the NHTSA, the senators requested answers to questions such as : what steps the NHTSA is taking towards finalising a policy on automated vehicles that embraces innovation and improved safety benefits; How NHTSA is providing guidance to states on the safe exploration of this new technology; What guidance NHTSA is providing to industry on the submission of requests for interpretation regarding the application of FMVSS to autonomous vehicle technologies; and hat barriers exist to the research and integration of autonomous vehicles that Congress could address.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • What's next for traffic management and data collection?
    January 26, 2012
    As the technologies and stakeholders in traffic management evolve, what can we expect to see happening in the coming years? For many, the conversation of the moment is just how, and how far, the newer technologies and services provided principally by the private sector should be allowed to intrude into the realms of traffic management.
  • Trump unveils U.S. infrastructure investment
    February 13, 2018
    U.S. president Donald Trump has announced that he wants Congress to approve $200bn (£144bn) bill, which he said will stimulate another $1.3tn (£9bn) in improvements as part of his plan to fix the country’s infrastructure. One intention of the proposal is to eliminate regulatory barriers and offer more flexibility to transportation projects that are currently required to seek Federal review and approval. $100bn (£72bn) of the proposed bill will create an Incentives Program to spur additional dedicated fund
  • IBTTA joins group in support of DRIVE Act tolling provisions
    June 26, 2015
    The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has applauded the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee’s introduction of its surface transportation reauthorisation legislation titled the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act. It has joined twelve other organisations, including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, American Road & Transportation Builders Association, ITS America and the US Tolling Coalitio
  • Financing the US road infrastructure – road user charging?
    February 2, 2012
    In the US, the National Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission's report to Congress will state that a national, distance-based charging is the only long-term solution to the country's infrastructure financing problems. The Commission's Chair, Rob Atkinson, talks to ITS International