With self-driving vehicles allowed on public streets in 20 states, federal regulators are beginning to scrutinize the industry for safety concerns.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating self-driving taxis from General Motors subsidiary Cruise, which have been involved in multiple incidents that resulted in unsafe conditions. As Dan Zukowski explains in Smart Cities Dive, “These events, NHTSA said, could lead to dangerous situations for passengers such as their having to exit the vehicle in traffic or leave a vehicle stranded in an intersection.”
According to Zukowski, “NHTSA last year ordered manufacturers and operators to report crashes involving vehicles equipped with automated driving systems; it is also investigating 830,000 Tesla cars equipped with the Autopilot driver assistance system.” Between July 2021 and May 2022, AVs were involved in 130 crashes. Today, 20 states allow the testing or deployment of automated vehicles without a human driver present. “While federal regulations limit the number of fully automated vehicles an operator can deploy, there are no federal safety regulations specific to autonomous vehicle operational standards.”
Volkswagen and Ford recently pulled support from their autonomous vehicle investments. As Ford CEO Jim Farley explained in October, “profitable, fully autonomous vehicles at scale are a long way off.”
FULL STORY: Federal safety regulators begin investigation into self-driving taxis
USDOT Waters Down Self-Driving Car Regulations
The agency is reducing reporting requirements for autonomous vehicles and cars with self-driving features, prompting concern among safety advocates who say transparency is essential to the safe deployment of AV technology.
Opinion: Regulation Must Precede the Mass Rollout of Autonomous Cars
The time to craft a comprehensive set of regulations governing safety, privacy, accessibility, and equity is now.
Texas Safety Advocates Raise Alarm in Advance of Tesla Robotaxi Launch
The company plans to deploy self-driving taxis in Austin with no oversight from state or local transportation agencies.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont