Skip to main content

US governors urge responsible regulation for public buy-in of AVs

While connected vehicles offer the promise of improving many people’s lives, industry and public authorities must overcome their fears about safety and being left behind, said two US state governors. “There’s a lot of fear that they may be losing control,” said Colorado governor John Hickenlooper (right) during a panel discussion with Michigan governor Rick Snyder (centre) at ITS America 2018 in Detroit. “We have to make sure that each step we take we show people that their world will be safer,” said Hicke
June 7, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Colorado governor John Hickenlooper (right) and Michigan governor Rick Snyder (centre)
While connected vehicles offer the promise of improving many people’s lives, industry and public authorities must overcome their fears about safety and being left behind, said two US state governors.


“There’s a lot of fear that they may be losing control,” said Colorado governor John Hickenlooper (right) during a panel discussion with Michigan governor Rick Snyder (centre) at 560 ITS America 2018 in Detroit. “We have to make sure that each step we take we show people that their world will be safer,” said Hickenlooper.

There are also fears that many people will lose their jobs thanks to the increasing use of connected vehicles, said Snyder. Many people, in the logistics sector and people transport sector - such as taxis and Uber - wonder if they will be redundant. “We need to be thoughtful about not waiting for this crisis to happen…we shouldn’t leave them behind,” said Snyder. Hickenlooper said both he and Snyder are “passionate” about ensuring the education system, from high school upwards, caters for future jobs such as servicing autonomous vehicles. They might have to have a lot of knowledge about lidar, for example. The public must also see that their governments are ensuring manufacturers of connected vehicle technology are adhering to regulations. On the other hand, the regulations shouldn’t stifle innovation by manufacturers.

“Of course the industry doesn’t want to see anybody hurt,” said Snyder. “It’s a balancing act trying to put in place responsible regulation.”

Hickenlooper agreed that it will have to be a partnership between the public authorities, the public and the manufacturers.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ITS needs continuity at the policy-making level
    February 1, 2012
    ITS needs to be sold to politicians in plainer terms and we need to be encouraging greater continuity at the policy-making level says Josef Czako, chairman of the IRF's Policy Committee on ITS. At the ITS World Congress in New York in 2008, the International Road Federation (IRF) held the inaugural meeting of its Policy Committee on ITS. The Policy Committee's formation, says its chairman, Kapsch's Josef Czako, reflects an ongoing concern over the lack of deployment of ITS technology on roads in anything li
  • Utah DoT and Panasonic get connected
    August 30, 2019
    Utah is making smart roadways a priority and has entered a partnership with Panasonic to move things forward. Adam Hill asks Utah DoT to outline where the state is heading Utah Department of Transportation (UDoT) has form when it comes to connectivity. It built the first operational connected vehicle corridor in the US – and has now joined up with Panasonic to extend its operation. “When we work with technology providers, we are working together to get that win-win,” says Carlos Braceras, UDoT executi
  • Can drivers be responsible for AV offences?
    January 28, 2022
    Report in UK from two Law Commissions recommends a new Automated Vehicles Act
  • E-tolling is the new normal
    April 29, 2020
    Electronic tolling has become a cornerstone for the next wave of innovation, says IBTTA’s Bill Cramer. So is this the end of the road for toll plazas?