Legislation re-introduced by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation from using Chinese LiDAR technology.
Johnson said the technology from China would provide foreign adversaries with 3-D maps of national infrastructure. LiDAR uses ground-penetrating radar to create digital 3-D maps accurate to within millimeters of surrounding environments.
“LiDAR technology creates incredibly detailed maps of its surroundings. Allowing our adversaries like China to have access to these maps of critical infrastructure like ports, railways, airports, roads, and bridges could allow them to disrupt our supply chains and cause a national security crisis,” Johnson said. “My bill ensures our nation’s critical infrastructure is protected from the malign interests of the Chinese Communist Party.”
The legislation would prohibit the U.S. Transportation Secretary from entering into or extending contracts that use LiDAR, or from procuring or otherwise obtaining LiDAR technology.
The legislation would co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Select Committee on China Chairman; Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), China Committee ranking member; and Julia Brownley (D-CA). The legislation is supported by the American Trucking Association and the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International.
“Trucks reach every corner of the country and routinely access some of our nation’s most sensitive sites—such as ports, border crossings, and military installations. That is why supply chain and infrastructure security are very important to our industry,” Henry Hanscom, senior vice president of legislative affairs for ATA.