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Automated Vehicles Comprehensive Plan

Automated Vehicles Comprehensive Plan,  January 11, 2021, Washington, DC.

Building upon the principles stated in AV 4.0, the Automated Vehicles Comprehensive Plan defines three goals to achieve USDOT's vision for Automated Driving Systems (ADS).

  1. Promote Collaboration and Transparency – USDOT will promote access to clear and reliable information to its partners and stakeholders, including the public, regarding the capabilities and limitations of ADS.
  2. Modernize the Regulatory Environment – USDOT will modernize regulations to remove unintended and unnecessary barriers to innovative vehicle designs, features, and operational models, and will develop safety focused frameworks and tools to assess the safe performance of ADS technologies.
  3. Prepare the Transportation System – USDOT will conduct, in partnership with stakeholders, the foundational research and demonstration activities needed to safely evaluate and integrate ADS, while working to improve the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of the transportation system.

Automated Vehicles

Each goal includes a discussion of key objectives, as well as associated illustrative actions the Department is undertaking to address priorities while preparing for the future.

The Comprehensive Plan was informed by extensive stakeholder engagement and the ongoing efforts of USDOT’s operating administrations and the Office of the Secretary of Transportation to understand and respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by ADS. It is intended to reflect the Department’s fundamental focus on safety, transportation system efficiency, and mobility for people and goods. Additional automation activities with in the department can be found at this link. AV Comprehensive Plan briefing deck can be found at this link.

The USDOT developed the Comprehensive Plan document to help stakeholders understand ADS activities across the Department and in response to recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Congress.

U.S. DOT is seeking public comments on the AV Comprehensive Plan (Federal Register Notice,  DOT-OST-2021-0005 - comment period closes on March 22, 2021).

Last updated: Thursday, January 21, 2021