Department of Transportation Convenes Advisory Committee on Automation
On Monday, January 16, 2017, the Department of Transportation held the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Committee on Automation in Transportation in Washington, DC. This Committee is composed of public officials, corporate executives, academic experts, and representatives of safety and industry groups, and was formed to provide information, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation on multi-modal concerns relating to the deployment of automated vehicles.
The inaugural meeting included an introductory statement by Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, who stated his hope that the Committee would provide insight into how automation in transportation will not only impact vehicular travel, but also supply chains, the labor market, and planning for public works. The co-chairs of the Advisory Committee, Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles and CEO Mary Barra of General Motors, followed with introductions of themselves before allowing each committee member to introduce themselves and make initial remarks.
Following this introductory meeting, the Advisory Committee will now negotiate among its members to determine whether it will address different facets of automation in transportation by subcommittee discussion, and a future schedule for meetings. The Advisory Committee members have been appointed to two-year terms, and it remains to be seen how the incoming Trump administration will work with the advisory committee, or how the administration will approach transportation policy more generally.
The full roster for the DOT Advisory Committee on Automation in Transportation can be viewed here.
