The Future of Transportation and Mobility

Autonomous vehicles (AVs), connected vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced aviation platforms are the defining mobility innovations of this and the next generation.  These technologies will revolutionize how Americans travel and receive goods, and will make our roadways cleaner, safer, and more accessible.  TechNet supports the promotion of a welcoming regulatory climate need to foster this innovation here in the United States.  The automotive sector is critical to our economic growth, and the importance of U.S. leadership in automotive technology can’t be overstated.  Similarly, new rules are required to ensure advanced aviation platforms can be safely operated here at scale so that American innovators are not forced to look overseas for new opportunities.

Drones are being used across industries and the public sector in myriad use cases, including public safety, real estate, agriculture, disaster response, infrastructure inspection, medical and goods delivery, the entertainment industry, and humanitarian relief.  Drones often 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.

Across all modes of transport, TechNet supports the principle that federal laws and regulations should be performance-based and technology-neutral, applying equally to all companies and business models.  TechNet also supports proactive efforts and investments to educate the public, government stakeholders, and interested parties on AV and advanced aviation technologies and capabilities.  Incentive structures should be put in place to boost domestic manufacturing capabilities while any import restrictions should be contemplated with a view toward minimizing supply chain disruptions that could harm American innovation and leadership.

Autonomous Vehicles

• TechNet supports the establishment of a uniform national regulatory framework that promotes the safe testing, deployment, and operation of AVs. The federal government can maintain U.S. leadership in the AV sector by issuing reasonable and practical regulations that ensure safety, expediting rulemakings, granting exemptions where applicable, and clarifying federal and state roles.
• TechNet opposes laws and regulations that require human control and intervention, implement unreasonable testing procedures and operating restrictions, or arbitrarily specify or prohibit the use of different AV technologies.
• 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 updating FMVSS to remove deployment obstacles 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 as needed.
• TechNet supports the successful American self-certification regime for motor vehicle safety regulation, in place since 1966, and believes it is well-suited for AVs.
• TechNet encourages AV developers to publish 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 FMCSA’s efforts to update its regulations for a world with autonomous commercial vehicles. Such efforts should not impose arbitrary operating requirements or restrictions on autonomous CMVs, such as the presence of a human driver for certain use cases.
• 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.
• TechNet encourages federal investment into manufacturing of advanced AV components in the United States.

 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 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.
• The federal government should partner with states and private stakeholders to increase support for the Department of Transportation’s V2X Deployment Plan, including the near-, mid-, and long-term goals directed at infrastructure owners and operators.
• The Department of Transportation should include V2X technologies in transportation funding beyond pilot projects and demonstrations.
• Public and private sector stakeholders, including federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as industry and research organizations, should collaborate and coordinate on connected vehicle policy, development, and deployment.
• TechNet urges caution and proportionality as regulators define the scope of what is classified as a connected vehicle and recommends leveraging existing laws and standards that address potential cybersecurity risks.

 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.
• TechNet supports the ISO 15118 standard for Plug & Charge as a good foundation to facilitate EV charging Open Payment capabilities for in-vehicle payments.
• 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

• TechNet supports the development of a commercial drone operation regulatory framework, including swift implementation of Section 930 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to promulgate rules enabling beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and more advanced drone operations.
• TechNet supports the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) BVLOS Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) recommendations and encourages the agency to incorporate ARC’s recommendations in its rulemaking efforts as quickly as possible.
• FAA regulations and processes must be developed or updated to reflect drones’ 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. Caution must be used before employing any mitigation technologies, including robust testing and coordination among the FAA and other federal agencies, to ensure they are safe and do not result in unintended consequences or interference with other lawful aircraft operations in the National Airspace System.  TechNet supports the creation of a detection and tracking pilot program that is limited and tailored in scope.
• To promote increased adoption of Remote ID by expanding the means of compliance without sacrificing safety, 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.