He will also announce that U.S. President Barack Obama will call on Congress to approve almost US$4 billion over 10 years to accelerate vehicle automation.
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To get to this point, the DOT today said it wants to develop a model state policy on automated driving within the next six months. That policy – which will be developed within six months – could help form the basis of a consistent national policy. That policy could eventually lead to consistent national regulations for autonomous cars. Right now, individual states like California and Nevada have their own regulations for autonomous vehicle testing.
Recent predictions from Gartner say that by 2020, the number of connected passenger vehicles on the road in use will be about 150 million, 60 percent to 75 percent of them of which be capable of consuming, creating and sharing Web-based data.
So-called vehicle-to-vehicle communications has the potential to save lives on a scale of earlier innovations like seat belts and air bags, the agency said.
Foxx also used his speech to encourage automakers to actively seek rule interpretations from his department. In the case of self-driving cars, stalling by federal regulators has left states to implement a patchwork of inconsistent laws that will likely prove troublesome as the technology transitions from prototype to production. The technology allows the sedans to self-park, without the driver inside. NHTSA said Thursday said it confirmed that a BMW remote self-parking feature meets federal safety standards.
“In 2016, we are going to do everything we can to promote safe, smart and sustainable vehicles”.
Silicon Valley companies and auto makers are forcing regulators’ hand as they continue plowing resources into making the vehicles a reality.
WASHINGTON – The US Transportation Department said on Thursday that it might waive some vehicle safety rules to allow more driverless cars to operate on US roads, as part of a broader effort to speed up development of self-driving vehicles.
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Additionally, Foxx said the DOT would remove any potential hindrances to any automotive technology that can substantially increase safety, mobility, and sustainability. Meanwhile, numerous auto companies, including Tesla, are selling or are close to selling vehicles with “semi-autonomous” systems that can take the wheel under certain circumstances, such as highway driving in clear conditions, provided an attentive human remains behind the wheel. The company wants to test without drivers and would like state regulations to be uniform. Most major U.S. vehicle manufacturers are also scrambling to acquire AI talent and technology to create their own self-driving cars; Ford CEO Mark Fields said he believes the first consumer self-driving cars will be on the streets within the next four years.
