Automated Driving Systems

Raising Awareness and Preparing for Autonomous Transit Systems
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The U.S. Department of Transportation states the continuing evolution of automated driving technology aims to deliver even greater safety benefits.

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The U.S. Department of Transportation states the continuing evolution of automated driving technology aims to deliver even greater safety benefits.

The United States Department of Transportation has announced the first nine companies and eight states who will participate in the Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) Initiative. The new Department initiative is intended to raise public awareness and understanding on activities that support safe development and on-road testing of Automated Driving Systems in the U.S. through the sharing of information from Federal, State and local governments and stakeholders.

One of the participating states of the AV TEST, California, has allowed testing of an autonomous vehicle without a driver behind the wheel through a permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). With the majority of autonomous vehicle testing requiring a person in the driver seat who can at any time take control of the vehicle, the California DMV has now issued three Autonomous Vehicle Driverless Testing Permits.

Other participating states include Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah. While these states will host testing locations for the AV TEST Initiative's participating companies, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) has released guidelines for all cities in order to prepare for autonomous transit systems. According to NACTO, cities should do the following:

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