The radical changes coming to our roadways mean regulators need to get more tech savvy, fast As part of the vast shift in transportation being pushed forward by advancing automated vehicle technology, the U.S. Department of Transportation has drafted a series of rules, guidelines, and policy proposals meant to shape a common path toward a driverless future. In doing so, the agency begins the necessary, and difficult, task of determining safety and communications standards for the evolving technology, while accepting an incredible regulatory task that will require the agency to evolve beyond its current scope. As companies such as Google, Uber,Tesla, and Ford race to develop this new technology, the government wants to ensure there's a common framework governing our roadways. During an embargoed press conference yesterday, Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx discussed how these new rules will prioritize safety and sustainability, and help usher in a sea change in U.S. transportation (one being contemplated on all levels of government). Automated vehicles will not only contribute to reductions in carbon emissions, but will help prevent the 94 percent of car crashes, give mobility-challenged Americans more freedom, and lets Americans recover some of the estimated $160 billion collectively lost sitting behind the wheel each year.

Department of Transportation
The cover of the government's 116-page automated ...