The Future of Surface Transportation: Highway Chairman Graves Leads Debate on Autonomous Vehicle Technology

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves this morning led a roundtable focused on the policy implications of autonomous vehicle technology in America. Graves, the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, welcomed guests from across the industry to take part in the discussion, including under Secretary for Policy at U.S. DOT Blair Anderson, and ATA President & CEO Chris Spear.

“The possibilities for our nation’s surface transportation system are endless over the next decade,” Rep. Graves said. “Autonomous vehicle technology – and the opportunity it presents to make roads safer and highway travel more efficient – is a huge part of that. But policy makers and legislatures across the country must be ready to deal with the regulatory implications of these advancements.”

Among the specific topics addressed at the roundtable, entitled “Getting Smart on Autonomous Vehicles: Opportunities and Challenges for Transportation Transformation,” were NHTSA’s recently-issued guidance document on autonomous vehicles and its impact on future rulemaking processes.

“Today’s roundtable gave us a much needed forum to hear from both public and private sector entities on the progress made – and the impediments to additional growth – in this emerging industry. And given the disruptive nature of this technology, it’s important to consider the diverse interests of all those involved in the process,” Graves continued. “It is a worthwhile and necessary conversation, and it will not be the last one we have in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.”