Like other innovative transportation modes and technologies throughout history, autonomous vehicle (AV) technology is developing at a rapid pace, and consumer-available AV technologies are already embedded in the fabric of the automobile industry and society. People quickly adapt to advancements in automotive technologies. Despite this growth, however, existing regulatory and safety frameworks remain suited only for conventional auto environments; regulations and standards are not flexible enough to accommodate technological changes, fail to address safety challenges inherent in the latest innovations, and are inconsistent across states, companies, and industries.
While AVs may resemble conventional automobiles in certain ways, they exhibit a range of capabilities that distinguish them from vehicles as a mode in any traditional sense. Regulators face the significant challenge of responding to potential shortcomings of this new mode of travel, which has strained the use of existing regulations and standards for automobiles that lack AV considerations. The complex nature of AV technology necessitates substantial regulatory and safety changes to address gaps that are currently underexplored. Federal and state regulators, researchers, fleet operators, manufacturers, emergency responders, and infrastructure providers each have a stake in development of plans, policies, and management structures to address safety issues.
