U.S. DOT launches AV testing program

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that nine companies and eight states are among the first participants in a new initiative to improve the safety and testing transparency of automated driving systems: the Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing Initiative.

The participating companies are Beep, Cruise, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Local Motors, Navya, Nuro, Toyota, Uber and Waymo. The states are California, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah.

“Through this initiative, the Department is creating a formal platform for Federal, State, and local government to coordinate and share information in a standard way,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The AV Test Initiative will include a series of public events across the country to improve transparency and safety in the development and testing of automated driving systems.

Participants can share information about their activities, which the DOT said will help increase the public’s awareness of testing, centralize the department’s role in promoting safety and innovation and build stronger relationships among federal, state and local governments and stakeholders.

The AMA believes automation of vehicle functions holds the potential to make America’s roadways safer for riders, but only if AVs are programmed and equipped to properly recognize and appropriately react to nearby motorcycles.