Federal safety regulators will issue a broad framework today for developing, testing and deploying autonomous vehicles, which are coming to market before undergoing many tests human-driven cars must meet before they are offered to consumers.
The framework contained four sections — vehicle performance guidance, a model state policy, current regulatory tools and modern regulatory tools.
The Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will listen to public and industry comment for the next 60 days.
In addition to the four sections, DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx discussed what he called a 15-point safety assessment that will govern how NHTSA proceeds in the uncharted territory, where software, not humans, operates vehicles.
“This is just the first step,” Foxx said. “The policy will be updated annually to ensure it remains relevant and timely and will continue to be shaped by public comment on the entire policy at www.transportation.gov/AV.
“This is a change of culture for us. Typically we would say a car must meet standard A in a certain way. Under this approach, it isn’t prescriptive that there have to be specific proof points to be met before a technology comes to market.”
All major automakers and suppliers are closely watching NHTSA’s proposals.
“Ford appreciates Secretary Foxx’s leadership and NHTSA’s thoughtful efforts to advance the future of mobility and ensure the United States continues to drive transportation innovation,” Ford said in a prepared statement. “The guidance will help establish the basis for a national framework that enables the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles. Strides in this technology have the potential to improve safety on our roads and reduce congestion in urban areas. ”
General Motors also said it supports DOT’s and NHTSA’s efforts to speed deployment of autonomous vehicles.
“We welcome the effort, will review the guidance and look forward to continuing the constructive dialogue on how to safely deploy these vehicles as quickly as possible,” GM’s statement read.
The problem is that autonomous vehicle technology is moving much faster than regulators can learn and react to it.
Read more of the original article at Detroit Free Press.
