"As automated vehicle technologies advance, they have the potential to dramatically reduce the loss of life each day in roadway crashes. To support industry innovators and States in the deployment of this technology, while informing and educating the public, and improving roadway safety through the safe introduction of the technology, NHTSA presents Automated Driving Systems: A Vision for Safety. It is an important part of DOT’s multimodal efforts to support the safe introduction of automation technologies. In this document, NHTSA offers a nonregulatory approach to automated vehicle technology safety."

Key findings

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"The Voluntary Guidance contains 12 priority safety design elements.1 These elements were selected based on research conducted by the Transportation Research Board (TRB), universities, and NHTSA. Each element contains safety goals and approaches that could be used to achieve those safety goals."

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"States can proactively evaluate current laws and regulations so as not to unintentionally create barriers to ADS operation, such as a requirement that a driver have at least one hand on the steering wheel at all times."

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"The Voluntary Guidance, highlighting the 12 priority safety elements, and its associated Voluntary Safety Self-Assessment offer public reassurance that safety remains NHTSA’s top priority."

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