NSPE has submitted the newly released Autonomous Vehicles: A Public Regulatory Policy Guide to the Department of Transportation to consider for incorporation into its anticipated next version of federal guidelines for autonomous vehicles. The Department of Transportation convened a meeting in early March and opened a formal docket requesting input as it develops the newest version of federal guidelines, known as Autonomous Vehicles 3.0. NSPE has been working on multiple fronts to promote and protect the public health, safety, and welfare in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicle technologies. To promote public safety for all who interact with autonomous vehicles, NSPE has adopted the policy guide to provide stakeholders with guidelines to measure the safety readiness of autonomous vehicles under consideration for deployment.
Much of the discussion to date has addressed the technology, its capabilities, and the perceived public benefits. However, many questions remain unanswered by industry, which has led to uncertainty within the public regulatory environment. NSPE urges DOT to incorporate these outcome-based standards as a starting point for adopting requirements that protect public safety.