U.S. DOT Releases New Automated Driving Systems Guidance

The federal government recently announced new guidance for Automated Driving Systems. Earlier this week the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released “A Vision for Safety 2.0”, a call to industry insiders, politicians and the public to pave the way to automated vehicles and technologies. 

“The new Guidance supports further development of this important new technology, which has the potential to change the way we travel and how we deliver goods and services,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “The safe deployment of automated vehicle technologies means we can look forward to a future with fewer traffic fatalities and increased mobility for all Americans.”

The government’s message was hailed by safety advocates who believe automated driving systems will make for safer American roadways. 

“The most compelling reason to encourage the rapid deployment of these technologies is to reverse the staggering death toll on our roadways,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council, a nonprofit focused on reducing preventable deaths. “ADAS systems are already saving lives. Just think of the additional fatalities we could prevent with the deployment of even higher levels of automation.”