The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) held a national dialogue meeting in Philadelphia last week focused on the development of automated vehicles and how to get them safely on the road.
The meeting is the second in a series meant to provide a space for the FHWA and industry leaders involved in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of roads to open discussion with automakers and technology providers. Each is meant to spur collaborative efforts to realize the new technology’s potential.
“As automated vehicle technology advances and is deployed, transportation policy and planning will be critical,” Acting Federal Highway Administrator Brandye Hendrickson said. “We’ll have to adapt and refine our approaches to ensure we fully address the needs of the public, including the traveling public, businesses and freight operators.”
The discussions last week focused primarily on integration safety. In the future, the FHWA has also identified the need to discuss automated implications for projects, programs, and government policy. The first such meeting was held in Detroit earlier this month, but others will follow around the country in days to come.