Skip to main content

New US DOT committee to shape the future of automated transportation

The US Department of Transportation (US DOT) is seeking innovators and experts to join a cross-modal committee to shape the future of automated transportation technologies. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Automation in Transportation (ACAT), which will serve as a critical resource for the Department in framing federal policy for the continued development and deployment of automated transportation. Members of the committee will assess th
October 20, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The 324 US Department of Transportation (US DOT) is seeking innovators and experts to join a cross-modal committee to shape the future of automated transportation technologies.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Automation in Transportation (ACAT), which will serve as a critical resource for the Department in framing federal policy for the continued development and deployment of automated transportation.

Members of the committee will assess the Department’s current research, policy and regulatory support to advance the safe and effective use of autonomous vehicles. They will also engage in information gathering, develop technical advice and present recommendations to the Secretary on automated and connected road and transit vehicle technologies, enhanced freight movement technologies, railroad automated technologies, aviation automated navigation systems technologies, unmanned aircraft systems and advanced technology deployment in surface transportation environments. In particular, the committee will carry out these activities as they may relate to emerging or ‘not-yet-conceived’ innovations to ensure the Department is prepared when disruptive technologies emerge.

“This committee will help determine how, when, and where automated technology will transform the way we move,” said Foxx. “The Department has advanced some of the life-saving benefits of automated technologies, including automated vehicle policy, but we are looking outside the government for innovative and thoughtful leaders to uncover its full potential across all modes.”

The Department is seeking 15 individuals with cross-modal perspectives on issues like intelligent transportation systems (ITS), robotics, enhanced freight movement, air traffic control next generation technology, and advanced transportation technology deployment.

Related Content

  • December 16, 2014
    USDOT releases plans for the future of ITS
    The USDOT has released a new plan for ITS research and priorities for the second half of the decade. The new ITS Strategic Plan 2015-2019 outlines the direction and goals of the Department’s ITS Program and provides a framework around which the ITS Joint Program Office and other Department agencies will conduct research, development, and adoption activities to achieve them. The ITS Strategic Plan’s framework is built around two key ITS Program priorities, realising connected vehicle implementation and a
  • June 4, 2015
    After two decades of research, ITS is getting into its stride
    Colin Sowman gets the global view on how ITS has shaped the way we travel today and what will shape the way we travel tomorrow. Over the past two decades the scope and spread of intelligent transport systems has grown and diversified to encompass all modes of travel while at the same time integrating and consolidating. Two decades ago the idea of detecting cyclists or pedestrians may have been considered impossible and why would you want to do that anyway? Today cyclists can account for a significant propor
  • October 29, 2014
    ITF Corporate Partnership Board projects highlight ways forward
    The findings of the first four projects launched by the ITF Corporate Partnership Board (CPB), the organisation's platform for engaging with the private sector, have been announced. CPB projects are designed to enrich policy discussion with a business perspective. They are launched in areas where CPB member companies identify an emerging issue in transport policy or an innovation challenge to the transport system. Led by ITF, work is carried out in collaborative fashion in working groups consisting of CP
  • December 9, 2015
    USDOT launches Smart City Challenge
    The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has partnered with Vulcan in the Smart City challenge to mayors and city leaders across America to integrate emerging technology into their transportation networks. The winning city will be awarded up to US$40 million from the US DOT (funding subject to future appropriations) to implement bold, data-driven ideas by making transportation safer, easier, and more reliable. In addition, Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan has announced its intention to award up to US$10 millio