The United States Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx revealed at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan, USA, on January 14, an investment of nearly US$4bn over the next 10 years in the development of safe autonomous vehicles.
Foxx said that the Department of Transportation is removing potential roadblocks to the integration of innovative, transformational automotive technology that can significantly improve safety, mobility and sustainability: “Today’s actions and those we will pursue in the coming months will provide the foundation and the path forward for manufacturers, state officials, and consumers to use new technologies and achieve their full safety potential.”
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administrator, Mark Rosekind, added, “NHTSA is using all of its available tools to accelerate the deployment of technologies that can eliminate 94% of fatal crashes involving human error.”
The investment will come out of US President Obama’s proposed fiscal year 2017 budget. It will reportedly be used for programs to test connected vehicle systems in various designated areas of the country, and to work with industry leaders to develop rules for connected and autonomous vehicles that can work in all states.
January 26, 2016