by AUVSI News 

Today, Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx announced President Obama has included a proposed $4 billion investment in his fiscal 2017 budget to accelerate the development and adoption of driverless car technology through a series of real-world pilot programs hosted over 10 years. 



In addition, the Department of Transportation is working on removing roadblocks that inhibit the technology, which Foxx said could improve safety, mobility and sustainability. The pilots will also include connected vehicle tests.



“We are on the cusp of a new era in automotive technology with enormous potential to save lives, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transform mobility for the American people,” said Foxx. “Today’s actions and those we will pursue in the coming months will provide the foundation and the path forward for manufacturers, state officials, and consumers to use new technologies and achieve their full safety potential.”



The Obama administration’s plans also include creating a cohesive multistate framework for connected and autonomous cars, which to date have seen disparate regulation or lack of legislation from states. Notably, Google, which was on hand for Foxx’s announcement, has been publicly displeased with California’s recent ruling that driverless cars must have a person behind the wheel. 



In 2016, DOT plans to work with state partners, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and other stakeholders to develop a model state policy on automated vehicles that will be consistent with a national policy.



DOT also released an update to the 2013 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s preliminary policy on driverless cars. 



Full details of the budget will be available Feb. 9.

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