AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES: White House set to invest $4B toward self-driving vehicle tech

Jan. 15, 2016

The Obama Administration proposed a $4 billion, 10-year plan to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicle technology

The White House unveiled a nearly $4 billion, 10-year plan to advance the development of autonomous vehicles in the U.S.

"Automated vehicles open up possibilities for saving lives, saving time and saving fuel," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx at a press conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The initiative reflects a broader sentiment stated during President Obama’s State of the Union address to build a “21st century transportation system.”

The federal government is striving to implement the “model state policy” for autonomous vehicles that would provide “a path to consistent national policy” within the next six months, according to a government press release.

In total, the White House wants to spend $3.9 billion for pilot programs to test "connected vehicle systems" throughout the country. According to the White House, the autonomous cars have the potential to drastically cut down on accidents.

"We know that 83% of car accidents are due to human error," Foxx said. "What happens if human error could be eliminated? That's a powerful possibility, and that's a possibility worth pursuing."

Sponsored Recommendations

Our new Bridge Hanger animation demonstrates how fast and easy it is to install light, sturdy fiberglass conduit onto bridges.
Learn how Champion Flame Shield® Provides a Safe Solution in Fire Sensitive Applications
See how fiberglass conduit stacks up to the competition in crucial areas like weight, corrosion resistance and installation cost.
See how Champion Fiberglass compares to PVC, GRC and PVC-coated steel in installation.