It's Getting Hot in Here

By: Jeanette M. Shaw

​​Some might start humming and attribute this blog title to American Rapper Nelly’s 2002 song with a similar name, others might attribute it to today’s breaking news highlighting 2015 as the hottest year on record, and yet others might attribute it to the contentious 2016 presidential race and current economic angst.
 
Whatever your frame of reference, the good news is that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), technology companies and car manufacturers are looking to reduce the heat on the path toward autonomous vehicles.   “We are on the cusp of a new era in automotive technology with enormous potential to save lives, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transform mobility for the American people,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx.
 
The DOT announced late last week, that President Obama’s FY 17 budget proposal includes nearly $4 billion for safe vehicle automation through real world pilot programs.  In addition, DOT is removing potential roadblocks to the integration of innovative, transformational automotive technology that can significantly improve safety, mobility and sustainability. 
 
“Today’s actions and those we will pursue in the coming months will provide the foundation and the path forward for manufacturers, state officials, and consumers to use new technologies and achieve their full safety potential, “ continued Secretary Foxx. 
 
Let’s work together to ensure state legislators and regulators do not stifle new technology and innovative approaches.  Ensuring a common, multistate framework for connected and autonomous vehicles will reduce the heat as well as the number of crashes and fatalities on U.S. roadways today.