US DOT setting up advisory committee on automated transportation

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx is setting up an Advisory Committee on Automation in Transportation (ACAT) – and the DOT is looking for nominees. In a statement issued today (19 October), the DOT said that the ACAT will serve as a “critical resource” for the Department in framing federal policy for the “continued development and deployment of automated transportation”.

“This committee will help determine how, when, and where automated technology will transform the way we move,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The Department has advanced some of the life-saving benefits of automated technologies, including automated vehicle policy, but we are looking outside the government for innovative and thoughtful leaders to uncover its full potential across all modes.”

Members of the Committee will assess the Department’s current research, policy and regulatory support to advance the safe and effective use of autonomous vehicles. They will also gather information and present recommendations to the Secretary on automated and connected road and transit vehicle technologies, enhanced freight movement technologies, railroad automated technologies, aviation automated navigation systems technologies, unmanned aircraft systems, and advanced technology deployment in surface transportation environments.

Interestingly, the DOT said the ACAT will be looking at emerging or “not-yet-conceived” innovations to ensure the Department is prepared when disruptive technologies emerge.

And then DOT statement revealed that the ACAT is not a fait accompli: the department is actively looking for people to nominate themselves or other potential members.  The DOT said it is “looking for 15 individuals with cross-modal perspectives on issues like intelligent transportation systems (ITS), robotics, enhanced freight movement, air traffic control next generation technology, and advanced transportation technology deployment”.

Individuals interested in nominating themselves or other potential members, should send materials to: [email protected]

.