The U.S. Department of Transportation released the Automated Vehicles Comprehensive Plan (AVCP). The AVCP lays out the DOT’s multimodal strategy to promote collaboration and transparency, modernize the regulatory environment and prepare the transportation system for the safe integration of Automated Driving Systems (ADS). The AVCP prioritizes safety while preparing for the future of transportation.
“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 former Secretary Elaine L. Chao shortly before she left office. Chao was replaced by new Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The AVCP illustrates how the DOT’s work, including myriad efforts with stakeholders beyond government, is focused on meeting the challenges of a transportation system that must adapt to technological advancements. The AVCP provides real-world examples of how the operating administrations collaborate to address the needs of emerging technology applications.
The AVCP builds on the U.S. Government’s core principles related to automated vehicles, outlined in Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies: Automated Vehicles 4.0 (AV 4.0). It also complements the Department’s earlier statements A Vision for Safety: Automated Driving Systems 2.0 (ADS 2.0) and Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0 (AV 3.0).
Development of the AVCP was informed by extensive stakeholder engagement conducted over the last several years through events (in-person and virtual) and public notices the agency says.