Proposed changes to vehicle safety standards would eliminate elements such as windshield wipers designed for human drivers.
The Trump administration announced it will propose several changes to vehicle safety regulations in the spring of 2026 that will change requirements for self-driving cars, eliminating some features such as windshield wipers and gear shift sticks that are designed for human drivers. According to a Bloomberg article by Keith Laing, “The move is the latest effort to rewrite of [sic] decades-old Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards under President Donald Trump to pave the way for an era of robotaxis.”
As James Ochoa explains in Auto Blog, the proposed changes would amend or remove three rules in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. “Specifically, the rulings are FMVSS No. 102, FMVSS No. 103, 104, and 108 which cover regulations regarding a variety of safety features that can be found and controlled by the driver in everyday passenger vehicles, including starter interlocks (No. 102), windshield defrosting and defogging systems (No. 103), windshield wipers and washers (No. 104) and ‘original and replacement lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment’ such as headlights and taillights (No. 108).”
Read the full story: Trump Administration Moves to Ease Rules for Self-Driving Cars
Tesla's steering wheel-less Cybercabs spotted on Austin streets
The company is testing 34 of its robotaxis in downtown Austin, but they have not been approved for public use.
Tesla 'completely' redacts robotaxi crash reports
Reports submitted to the NHTSA also reveal differences in the types of crashes Tesla cars are involved in as opposed to its competitors.
Tesla Announced Human-Assisted Robotaxi Launch in San Francisco — But State Regulators Say Otherwise
The electric carmaker appears to be both-sides-ing its impending launch, telling regulators it will have human drivers on board while touting the project as ‘robotaxis’ to investors.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Brightline Florida files for bankruptcy
The transit company is over $5 billion in debt.
St. Louis Metro to test if single-car trains can reduce operating costs, maintain rider satisfaction
The pilot program will run from October to spring 2027, and begin with one single-car train operating on Metrolink’s Red and Blue lines.
Pennsylvania is building data centers in abandoned mines
Housing data centers in mines provides an alternative to destroying local forests and may spare residents from data centers’ noise and air pollution.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello