NHTSA announces first participants in AV TEST Initiative

June 16, 2020

The U.S. DOT this week announced nine companies and eight states that have signed on as the first participants in a new department initiative to improve the safety and testing transparency of automated driving systems—the Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) 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.

The AV TEST Initiative—launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)—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 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.  

Additionally, NHTSA says this voluntary initiative will provide an online, public-facing platform for sharing automated driving systems testing activities and other safety-related information with the public.  Online mapping tools may show testing locations at the local, state, and national levels, as well as testing activity data, which may include dates, frequency, vehicle counts, and routes.

“Automated driving system technologies hold the promise to help prevent fatal crashes, save lives, and reduce the severity of the crashes that do occur," NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens said in a statement. "Under the leadership of Secretary Chao, NHTSA is committed to facilitating the safe testing, development, and eventual deployment of advanced vehicle safety technologies through enhanced transparency and information sharing with all our state and local partners.” 

NHTSA says the AV TEST Initiative will be open to all stakeholders involved in the safe development and testing of automated driving system vehicles. At the state and local level, participants may include DMVs, DOTs, highway safety offices, and city governments.  At the automotive industry level, participants may include developers, manufacturers, suppliers, operators, and testers.  

-------

SOURCE: NHTSA

Sponsored Recommendations

The Science Behind Sustainable Concrete Sealing Solutions

Extend the lifespan and durability of any concrete. PoreShield is a USDA BioPreferred product and is approved for residential, commercial, and industrial use. It works great above...

Proven Concrete Protection That’s Safe & Sustainable

Real-life DOT field tests and university researchers have found that PoreShieldTM lasts for 10+ years and extends the life of concrete.

Revolutionizing Concrete Protection - A Sustainable Solution for Lasting Durability

The concrete at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is subject to several potential sources of damage including livestock biowaste, food/beverage waste, and freeze/thaw...

The Future of Concrete Preservation

PoreShield is a cost-effective, nontoxic alternative to traditional concrete sealers. It works differently, absorbing deep into the concrete pores to block damage from salt ions...