A new coalition, United for Autonomy, has launched in Washington, D.C., to create a federal policy framework for autonomous vehicles (AV) in the United States. The group includes 28 organizations, spanning technology groups, transportation associations, safety advocates, industry coalitions, and supply chain stakeholders.
The group says the U.S. needs a unified federal approach, not a patchwork of state-level rules. In announcing the coalition, Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, said, “It is exciting to see a broad range of stakeholders come together to push common sense policy that will solidify American leadership in autonomous vehicles. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to reduce the 40,000 traffic fatalities we see each year dramatically, provide independence to people who cannot drive, and strengthen American supply chains. But realizing that potential requires federal government leadership.”
As of now, 26 states authorize Level 4 or Level 5 autonomous driving systems, but policies and requirements differ widely. Only the federal government, the coalition argues, can regulate vehicle design, performance, and safety at a national level. That consistency, they say, is critical to scaling AV adoption across commercial transportation and logistics networks.
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United for Autonomy says it will meet with lawmakers, regulators, and the public to build support for a national policy framework. AVIA, one of the founding members, previously released recommendations in Securing American Leadership in Autonomous Vehicles, calling for policies that promote innovation while boosting safety and economic resilience.
Several major industry groups in freight, retail, and transportation are part of the coalition, including the American Trucking Associations, the National Retail Federation, MEMA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Road Safe America, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. Their shared interest points toward a broader question for supply chain leaders: how will autonomous vehicle policy change freight movement and delivery models in the years ahead?
Below is a complete list of the 28 participating organizations:Â
- Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association
- ACES Mobility Coalition
- American Trucking Association
- Alliance for Automotive Innovation
- American Council of the Blind
- Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
- Bay Area Council
- Blinded Veterans Association
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Chamber of Progress
- Contra Costa Transportation Authority
- Consumer Technology Association
- Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA)
- Institute for Safer Trucking
- ITS America
- MEMA
- National Council on Independent Living
- National Federation of the Blind
- National Retail Federation
- National Venture Capital Association
- Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE)
- Reason Foundation
- Road Safe America
- Safer Roads for All
- Technet
- United Spinal Association
