The Trump administration signaled support for autonomous vehicles as it released new guidance from federal agencies, The New York Times reports. The principles will reportedly unify autonomous efforts across 38 U.S. departments and agencies.
Read Next: Autonomous Vehicle Technology Discussed at Congressional Hearing
"The takeaway from AV 4.0 is that the federal government is all in -- for safer, better and more inclusive transportation, aided by automated driving systems," U.S. transportation secretary Elaine Chao said in a statement.
The new principles aim to foster an environment to advance safe AV technologies, according to White House technology adviser Michael Kratsios. In the policy document, the U.S. government said it will adopt and promote "flexible, technology-neutral policies that will allow the public, not the federal government or foreign governments, to choose the most economically efficient and effective transportation and mobility solutions."
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is arguing that safety assessments should be made mandatory in order to ensure automated vehicles have appropriate safeguards. Meanwhile, advocates for highway safety are saying that the voluntary guidelines are unenforceable and will not result in adequate performance standards.
