DOT Moves Forward With Plans to Allow AVs Without Steering Wheels

The Department of Transportation advanced plans to allow autonomous vehicles to operate on U.S. roads without features like steering wheels, pedals and mirrors. An 80-page report released Thursday details DOT’s "Automated Vehicles 3.0" policy, which emphasizes the department's authority to alter safety rules to accommodate the design request. General Motors in January filed for a design exemption for AVs. House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, applauded “DOT’s continued commitment to getting safe and innovative self-driving cars on America’s roadways, and share in the urgency for a unified safety framework across state lines.” DOT Secretary Elaine Chao’s commitment to balancing safety and innovation “will solidify our nation's global leadership in self-driving technologies at a time when other countries are trying to duplicate the United States' success,” CTA CEO Gary Shapiro said Thursday.