US launches autonomous vehicle policy

The Obama administration has launched a new federal automated vehicles policy aiming to facilitate the responsible introduction of the technology to the US transportation sector.

The new policy includes guidelines for the responsible testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles, including a 15-point safety assessment for automakers.

Encompassing multiple levels of government, the policy also suggests a model for state policymakers to adopt and explores the distinction between federal and state responsibilities.

In addition, the policy includes regulatory tools that the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can use to aid the safe development of automated vehicles, as well as suggestions for new tools and authorities for the administration to consider adopting in the future.

The policy recognises that if properly designed and tested, automated vehicles can provide major benefits in terms of safety, mobility, productivity and sustainability.

But the Obama administration noted that the potential of the autonomous vehicles will depend on users being confident that the vehicles are safe, and said the government has a critical role to play in ensuring that they are.

The administration pledged further action in this area, including developing cybersecurity best practices for the automotive industry, as well as releasing a proposed rule mandating that new vehicles have the ability to transmit and receive a basic safety message.

Image courtesy of Steve Jurvetson under CC