R Street promotes ‘AMERICA DRIVES Act’ to accelerate autonomous vehicle deployment
The free-market R Street Institute says a House bill on autonomous commercial vehicles would overcome a patchwork of state regulation that’s inhibiting deployment of artificial intelligence-powered technology and endangering safety on the nation’s highways.
“Recent legislation introduced by Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA) provides a potential path forward for federal AV policy. The Autonomous Mobility Ensuring Regulation, Innovation, Commerce, and Advancement Driving Reliability in Vehicle Efficiency and Safety (AMERICA DRIVES) Act represents a critical step forward in modernizing America’s regulatory framework to accommodate commercial AVs,” R Street’s Mark Dalton and Adam Thierer write in an Aug. 18 analysis.
“This legislation addresses the current mismatch between the rapid pace of AV development and the outdated regulatory structures that hold back its potential,” the R Street authors say.
Rep. Fong in a July 24 release highlighted support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, TechNet, and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association for his legislation.
The bill, referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would:
- Establish a federal framework over state laws requiring human drivers in commercial vehicles with Level 4 or 5 [Automated Driving Systems], update federal definitions to include ADS-equipped vehicles, align ADS levels with Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International standards, and authorizes interstate testing and operation of fully automated trucks without human or remote drivers onboard.
- Codify the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) 2018 interpretation that federal safety regulations don’t require a human driver, directs FMCSA to update rules by 2027 for ADS-equipped vehicles, exempt fully autonomous trucks from human-specific requirements (e.g., hours of service, drug testing), defines “remote driver” and “remote assistance” per SAE International standards, and prohibit regulations that uniquely burden ADS vehicles.
- Codify that a flashing, cab-mounted warning beacon may be used instead of warning triangles for disabled commercial vehicles, aligning with a 2023 FMCSA exemption request.
“By establishing a federal framework for autonomous trucks and empowering the Department of Transportation to set practical regulations, we can safely scale this emerging technology nationwide,” Fong said. “The AMERICA DRIVES Act provides a clear path for adoption across state lines, helping support supply chain efficiency, strengthen domestic commerce, and ensure the United States remains unbeatable in the global marketplace.”
Fong, who serves on the T&I highways subcommittee, said, “It’s time to seize the opportunity to chart a safe, innovative path forward for American transportation. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in this effort so we can deliver results for the future of freight…”
The R Street Institute in its analysis argues the current “death toll” on U.S. roadways is “largely attributable to human error behind the wheel” and says, “A major auto safety revolution is needed to decrease roadway deaths and injuries, and autonomous vehicles (AVs) hold the promise of greatly assisting that effort. Unfortunately, inconsistent and depressive public policies for AVs holds back that potential.”
According to R Street, the “core provision” in the Fong bill “allows for commercial vehicles equipped with Level 4 and Level 5 automated driving systems (ADS) to operate without human drivers. This removes a significant roadblock to the deployment of AVs, as many current state laws requiring human occupants have created a patchwork of conflicting regulations that are stifling interstate commerce and innovation.”
“By establishing a federal framework, the AMERICA DRIVES Act creates the regulatory certainty that will allow technology companies and logistics operators to scale autonomous commercial vehicle operations and drive further roadway safety progress,” R Street says. “This preemption is particularly important given the interstate nature of commercial trucking.”
R Street says, “Another key benefit of the legislation is that it takes a technology-neutral approach to AV regulation by referencing established SAE International J3016 standards for automation levels. Leveraging these standards enables the AMERICA DRIVES Act to evolve at the pace of technological advances in the AV space without requiring repeated legislative updates.”
The group says, “By focusing on capability levels rather than specific technologies, the bill allows freedom for continued AV innovations while maintaining clear safety standards.”