As the automated vehicle (AV) industry gains momentum, lawmakers and regulators are scrambling to stay ahead, setting standards by which manufacturers, infrastructure designers, and municipalities can lean on when planning their driverless (or, at least, machine-assisted) future.
ATI21, both as a founding member of the Coalition For Future Mobility and as an independent advocate for sensible rulemaking that supports the AV evolution, is right in the middle of the action, as Congress has been busy on the AV front.
Matthew Raifman, writing at Medium, has an insightful article that looks at what lawmakers are doing with AV legislation. Both the House and Senate have bills that are roughly similar, he writes. Among the key points:
10,000-lb. weight limit
Per Raifman:
“While automated freight vehicles have the potential to alleviate trucker stress and improve safety, and also address a 50,000-person truck driver shortage, it is looking unlikely that we will see automated 18-wheelers cruising our highways anytime soon as both the Senate and House bills include a 10,000 pound cap on automated vehicles.”
While this is a bummer for those who see the potential in maximizing AV technology for open-road freight hauling, the weight limit covers all cars—heavy batteries included—and some small buses. Unfortunately, larger buses—think downtown city bus service—also fall outside the weight limit.
Federal rules rule
Another area that both bills agree on: AV design and performance standards will be set at the federal level. The bills still leave room for state-level regulation, as Raifman explains:
While states may no longer mandate design and performance specifications, they still, have the authority to control car registrations, auto insurance, and congestion management. Through this suite of powers, a state that is concerned about the impact of AVs on its community could fairly easily prevent AVs from operating within its borders, or ensure that AVs are operated only under certain conditions (e.g. last mile service to areas not served by public transit).
Read Raifman’s full piece here, and keep an eye out for a few more pieces from him on this important topic.
