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Media Contact: Jackie Beckwith, Jbeckwith@auvsi.org
Department of Transportation
Department of Transportation
DOT's Robert Hampshire Discusses Assured Autonomy
The virtual segment of AUVSI’s annual XPONENTIAL event, the world’s largest conference focused on the unmanned systems industry, launched today with a keynote address by Robert Hampshire, PhD. As Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Science Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Dr. Hampshire possesses deep expertise in both public policy and engineering systems. His research has focused on infrastructure issues around environmental impacts and equal access to opportunities. In his remarks, Dr. Hampshire shared DOT’s priorities under the new Administration for the years ahead and how unmanned systems fit into those priorities.
Congratulations, Deputy Secretary Trottenberg!
Earlier this week, Polly Trottenberg was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Dep. Sec. Trottenberg is known as a veteran transportation official.
Congressional Hearing on the Administration’s Priorities for Transportation Infrastructure
This week, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg to understand the Biden Administration’s priorities on infrastructure. Major topics included the current and forecasted regulatory regime, how to effectively engage industry, and steps the federal government should take to continue fostering innovation.
Congratulations, Sec. Buttigieg!
Today, Pete Buttigieg was confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and AUVSI extends our warmest congratulations as Mayor Pete becomes Secretary Buttigieg.
The unmanned systems industry is one that prizes innovation and holds safety as our number one priority. We are encouraged to see a similar mentality in our newest Transportation Secretary, as Buttigieg has been known to embody those values throughout his time as Mayor of South Bend, Indiana. In fact, the City is a member of AUVSI and joined our ranks under Mayor Pete’s leadership in 2018. That is not surprising to anyone who knows the 39-year-old former Navy intelligence officer – he has been on the record touting the benefits of autonomous systems in a variety of contexts.
15 teams awarded $41 million to improve transportation access to persons with disabilities and individuals with mobility challenges
Through two Department of Transportation design challenges that are meant to improve transportation access to persons with disabilities and individuals with mobility challenges, 15 teams in 15 states will be awarded more than $41 million, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced on Wednesday, Jan. 6.
“These exciting projects support the development of new innovative, inclusive, and affordable transportation technologies that address mobility and access challenges,” Secretary Chao said.
AUVSI Welcomes Remote ID and Operations Over People Final Rules for UAS
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has delivered a Final Rule on Remote Identification (ID) for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Thought of as a digital license plate for drones, the objective of Remote ID is to ensure that a UAS in flight is providing identification and location information that authorities can access. The FAA also released the final rule for Operations Over People, which includes rules for operations at night.
Department of Transportation announces funding for automated driving projects
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao recently announced that eight projects in seven states will receive nearly $60 million in federal grant funding to test the safe integration of automated driving systems (ADS) onto U.S. roadways.
