National Highway Traffic Safety Administration September 15, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NHTSA is releasing new voluntary guidance on automated driving systemsAutomated Driving Systems: A Vision for Safety. The new voluntary guidance is based on public comments received on the Federal Automated Vehicles Policy (FAVP) released in September 2016. The purpose of this new voluntary guidance is to support industry innovators, States and other key stakeholders as they consider and design best practices relative to the testing and deployment of automated vehicle technologies, while informing and educating the public and improving roadway safety. NHTSA invites public comment on the voluntary guidance and additional ways to improve its usefulness. This new voluntary guidance is an important part of DOT's multi- modal efforts to support the introduction of automation technologies that hold the promise of fulfilling NHTSA's mission of reducing the number of injuries and fatalities on our roads. As an update to the FAVP this new voluntary guidance serves as NHTSA's current operating guidance for Automated Driving Systems (ADSsSAE International Automation Levels 3-5). NHTSA intends to continue to revise and refine the guidance periodically to reflect continued public input, experience, research, and innovation, and will address significant comments in preparing future iterations of the guidance. This guidance supports that effort.