September 28, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Judith Nemes
Senate Bill to Safely Test Autonomous Vehicles: Vital First Step to Adoption
ELPC calling for study to explore impact on roads, public transportation, land use and the environment
Statement by Howard A. Learner
Executive Director, Environmental Law & Policy Center
Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, said in response to a U.S. Senate bill introduced to develop safety standards and testing for automated vehicles:
“Testing autonomous vehicles for safety is a vital first step,” said Learner. “Self-driving vehicle technology will be transformative and that requires a smart implementation strategy beyond just safety considerations.
“ELPC believes a comprehensive study is needed to analyze how the deployment of autonomous vehicles will impact our highways, urban streets, public transportation, land use, energy consumption and the environment. We need to be looking ahead so money isn’t spent on infrastructure that isn’t needed or fixing problems that could be avoided.
“Understanding and addressing these issues now can advance a better and smarter deployment of self-driving vehicles that fulfill the vision for this technology.”
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