Following actions by the federal government and a few states, the nation’s capital recently published a set of rules regulating the operation of driverless cars.
Martin Austemuhle details the recent actions of Washington D.C. policymakers to establish a set of rules regarding the use of the autonomous vehicles, or driverless cars, of the future.
“On Friday, the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles published a set of proposed rules that would govern the use of so-called autonomous vehicles — cars that have the ability to drive themselves. If the rules are adopted, D.C. would join a small number of states — including California, Florida[,] Michigan, and Nevada — that allow the cars to be used,” reports Austemuhle.
Among the regulations for the operation of driverless cars proposed by Washington D.C.: a requirement for a special endorsement from the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles. The endorsement would require verification that the driverless controls could be overridden manually if necessary.
In June 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the federal government's initial policy to pave the way for driverless cars. Nevada was the first state to allow driverless cars, back in February 2012.
FULL STORY: D.C. Proposes Rules That Would Allow Self-Driving Cars
California Grounds Cruise Autonomous Fleet
In the wake of serious pedestrian injuries and a federal investigation, state agencies have barred the driverless taxi company from continuing to operate.
Waymo Expansion Makes Phoenix ‘World’s Largest Self-Driving Car Zone’
The company’s autonomous taxis will soon be available in most parts of the metro area including Tempe, Mesa, and a new airport pick-up location.
How Self-Driving Cars Are Integrating—or Not—Into the Urban Fabric
As they become more common on some U.S. streets, autonomous vehicles are impeding emergency response operations and blocking traffic, idling in neighborhoods, and defying law enforcement.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs
Plano’s city council banned all new permits for short-term rentals as concerns about their impacts on housing costs grow.
Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
