The Future of Transportation and Mobility

Electric vehicles (EVs), connected vehicles, and autonomous vehicles (AVs) are the defining mobility innovations of this and the next generation.  These technologies will revolutionize how Americans travel and make our roadways cleaner, safer, and more accessible.  The automotive sector is critical to our economic growth, and the importance of U.S. leadership in automotive technology can’t be overstated.

Drones are being used across industries and the public sector in a myriad of use cases, including public safety, real estate, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, medical and goods delivery, the entertainment industry, and humanitarian relief.  In many cases, drones can enhance safety and reduce the environmental impact of certain commercial uses cases.  TechNet values the innovation that drones bring to these and other industries, especially as their use and technology continues to evolve.

Autonomous Vehicles

• TechNet supports the establishment of a uniform national framework that promotes the safe testing, deployment, and operation of AVs. By clarifying federal and state roles, granting exemptions where applicable, and expedited rulemaking, the federal government can support AV innovation.
• TechNet opposes laws and regulations that require human control and intervention, implement unreasonable operating restrictions, or arbitrarily specify or prohibit the use of different AV technologies.
• Federal laws and regulations should be technology-neutral, applying equally to all companies and business models.
• TechNet supports congressional efforts to increase the existing cap on temporary exemptions. Under current law, the National Highway Traffic Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) can exempt up to 2,500 vehicles per manufacturer per year from existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
• TechNet supports the modernization of FMVSS for AVs.  Current regulations were written for conventional human-operated vehicles, and new considerations need to be made for autonomous technology.  Updates should consider the innovative designs, diverse use-cases, and enhanced safety benefits that AVs can provide.  TechNet supports congressional and NHTSA action to update FMVSS.
• TechNet supports self-certification and voluntary safety self-assessments outlined in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration framework “Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety” (September 2017).
• TechNet supports proactive efforts and investments to educate the public, government stakeholders, and interested parties on AV technologies and capabilities.
• TechNet supports FMCSA’s efforts to update its regulations for a world with autonomous commercial vehicles. TechNet supports the 2023 Safe Integration of Automated Driving Systems-Equipped Commercial Motor Vehicles supplemental advanced notice of proposed rulemaking and urges the Agency to continue moving forward with issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking.
• TechNet urges the FMCSA to permit autonomous commercial motor vehicles operated by a Level 4 Automated Driving System to utilize a set of cab-mounted warning beacons instead of placing traditional warning devices around the vehicle as required.

Connected Vehicles

• TechNet supports DOT initiatives for the integration and deployment of vehicle-to-everything technologies, such as cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) using existing commercial wireless networks. V2X technologies, like C-V2, have the potential to significantly improve roadway safety, and support for V2X technologies from the testing stage to the widespread deployment will be important for safety and mobility needs.

Electric Vehicles

• TechNet recognizes that the electrification of transportation includes all-electric vehicles (EVs) including medium and heavy duty, electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), charging stations, and related smart and networked software solutions. EVs include all technology types, including battery EVs, plug-in hybrid EVs, and hydrogen fuel cell EVs.
• TechNet encourages the federal government to continue partnering with the automotive and tech sectors to enhance their significant investments and commitments to make the transition to more fuel-efficient vehicles.
• We also encourage the federal government to work with state and local governments to coordinate efforts and reduce regulatory burdens in the nationwide deployment of EVs and EV charging infrastructure, especially during the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
• TechNet supports sustainable tax policy that provides industry and consumers with long-term clarity to support the investment and deployment of clean energy and transportation technologies, including EV charging infrastructure. These programs should offer opportunities for funding for different types of EV technology and prioritize supporting private market solutions and transportation modes with the greatest potential impact to electrify both a high quantity of vehicles and high-mileage applications, including personal, fleet, ridesharing, ride-hailing, autonomous vehicles, transit, micromobility, peer-to-peer car sharing, and more.
• Policies regarding payment systems for EV use and EV charging should be technology neutral and allow for a variety of technologies that offer secure and global interoperable solutions to ensure EV drivers can pay using their existing cards or mobile devices. Global implementation of EMV technology, contactless (i.e. Tap to Pay), mobile payments and tokenization establishes a foundation to deploy easy-to-use, secure open payments technology for EVs.
• ISO 15118 standard for Plug & Charge is a good foundation to facilitate EV charging Open Payment capabilities for in-vehicle payments and could resolve many of the challenges faced today.
• TechNet supports a robust energy agenda that will spur the development and deployment of clean energy resources, including widespread access to a Clean Fuel Standard (CFS), which would create a technology-neutral market-based program that requires the incremental reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels over time. TechNet’s principles on climate change can be found here.

Drones Principles

• TechNet supports ongoing work at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and more advanced drone operations, including Advanced Air Mobility, to enable the use of drones to transport people and cargo.  TechNet supports the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) BVLOS Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), and TechNet encourages the agency to develop and implement policies from the UAS BVLOS ARC’s recommendations as quickly and efficiently as possible.
• TechNet supports the development of a commercial drone operation regulatory framework.  FAA regulations and processes must be developed or updated to reflect their novel designs and operational capabilities.  Currently, drones are often subject to policies designed for traditional aviation, which prevents fully realizing the economic and consumer benefits of this innovative technology.  To fully develop a regulatory framework for commercial drone operations, the FAA should not only enable BVLOS operations, but also develop drone-specific requirements for carrying dangerous goods and for environmental review processes.  TechNet supports the deliberative processes that further develop policies for safe drone operations.
• TechNet supports the continued partnership between industry and law enforcement to encourage a better understanding of the capabilities of this technology and proper mitigation of errant drone usage. TechNet supports the implementation of the FAA’s final rule on Remote ID, which will provide authorized individuals with information about drones while in flight.  TechNet also supports allowing internet-based network identification as an acceptable means of compliance with Remote ID rules.
• Any legislative and regulatory proposals should be technology- and sector-neutral, reflect the FAA’s authority to regulate the airspace, and protect critical infrastructure and fixed site facilities.  Targeted legislation will lead to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in how laws are applied and could slow technological solutions and growth.