The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Monday that it had released its “Automated Vehicles Comprehensive Plan” (AVCP), which lays out the department’s multimodal strategy towards integrating safe Automated Driving Systems (ADS).
The plan will promote collaboration and transparency while modernizing the regulatory environment and preparing the transportation system for automated vehicles, the department said.
“This comprehensive plan lays out a vision for the safe integration of automated vehicles into America’s transportation system while ensuring that legitimate concerns about safety, security, and privacy are addressed,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao, who resigned Monday, in reaction to the violent protests at the Capitol on Jan. 6.
The AVCP builds upon the federal government’s principles related to automated vehicles, outlined in “Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies: Automated Vehicles 4.0”, and complements the DOT’s previous statements in “A Vision for Safety: Automated Driving Systems 2.0” and Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0”.
“The Comprehensive Plan was informed by extensive stakeholder engagement and the ongoing efforts of USDOT’s operating administrations and the Office of the Secretary of Transportation to understand and respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by ADS. It is intended to reflect the Department’s fundamental focus on safety, transportation system efficiency, and mobility for people and goods,” the plan said.
The AVCP will be published in the Federal Register for public review and comment. Comments will be accepted for 60 days from publication.