Senator Collins, Reed Lead Hearing on the Automated and Self-Driving Vehicle Revolution

Click HERE to read a copy of Senator Collins’ opening statement
Click HERE to read a copy of Senator Reed’s opening statement

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, led a hearing this afternoon titled, “The Automated and Self-Driving Vehicle Revolution: What is the Role of Government?” The hearing examined the government’s role in promoting and regulating this new technology, which could save thousands of lives each year and provide new transportation options.

"Cars that drive themselves and avoid accidents. Seniors and disabled individuals able to retain or gain their ability to get around town. At first, it sounds like science fiction or an advance far off in the future. But this technology is being tested and perfected right now, and it could save thousands of lives,” said Senator Collins. "Ninety-four percent of roadway crashes are the result of human factors, or simply put, driver error, such as distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding. These crashes are preventable, and we should do everything we can to eliminate them. That is why the government should promote the testing and deployment of automated vehicle technologies, which could substantially reduce driver-related crashes and fatalities, saving thousands of lives every year."

“I commend Chairman Collins for convening this critical hearing. We have a responsibility to fulfill this technology’s promise and foster American innovation, while also keeping our roads safe,” said Senator Reed. “We must consider the consequences of these technological shifts for American workers and our economy. The impact of autonomous vehicles will be wide ranging and this hearing was an important step toward developing a roadmap toward integrating self-driving and autonomous vehicles into our transportation system.”

The development of automated and self-driving vehicles may prove to be the greatest personal transportation revolution since the personal automobile. Given that 35,092 people died on U.S. roadways in 2015 and that 94 percent of crashes can be tied to a human choice or error, automated vehicles have the potential to substantially reduce driver-related crashes and fatalities, saving thousands of lives every year, by correcting human mistakes or using technology that takes over the full driving responsibility. In addition, automated vehicles have the potential to improve mobility and provide transportation options to people with disabilities, aging populations, and communities where car ownership is prohibitively expensive. Automated vehicles also have the potential to save energy and reduce air pollution.

The hearing focused on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) recently issued Federal Automated Vehicles Policy (FAVP) and examined federal and state governments’ role in ensuring the safety of autonomous and automated vehicles. The DOT released its FAVP on September 20, 2016, which includes vehicle performance guidance, model state policy, an assessment of current regulatory tools, and a discussion of future regulatory tools for congressional consideration. Hearing witnesses discussed these guidelines and suggested improvements to regulations that promote safety while encouraging the swift adoption of this innovative and potentially lifesaving technology.

Witnesses

• The Honorable Mark Rosekind, Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Click HERE to read a copy of his testimony.
• The Honorable Deborah Hersman, President and CEO, National Safety Council. Click HERE to read a copy of her testimony.
• The Honorable Paul Brubaker, President and CEO, Alliance for Transportation Innovation. Click HERE to read a copy of his testimony.
• Dr. Nidhi Kalra, Senior Information Scientist, RAND Corporation. Click HERE to read a copy of her testimony.