01555454

Component

Four states (California, Florida, Nevada, and Michigan) and the District of Columbia have passed legislation enabling automated vehicles (AVs) to drive on public roads for either testing purposes, operational purposes, or both. Other states have closely monitored these developments, and many have introduced legislative measures of their own. As of writing, none have yet passed, but there is clear interest in state-level legislation surrounding AVs. As such, many states may find value in a careful analysis of the available policy options and a framework aiding in the development of policies that reflect their state’s values and objectives. For states interested in passing AV legislation, this paper analyzes, compares, and contrasts the existing policy approaches; provides evaluative criteria and a theoretical framework to assess state policies; and presents four hypothetical policy approaches a state could follow. The framework does not presuppose what a state values, but instead empowers states with the means to understand how various AV policy approaches could help it accomplish different goals. A state with an interest in advancing AV legislation must first reflect on and define its interests, objectives, and values; then it can use the framework and evaluative criteria to weigh the tradeoffs between various policy approaches and select one that best fits their needs.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHB30 Vehicle-Highway Automation.

01550057

15-4439

English

16p

2015

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Intelligent vehicles; Legislation; State laws; Transportation policy

Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Vehicles and Equipment; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning; I90: Vehicles

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2015 Paper #15-4439

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 30 2014 1:27PM