SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

DOT Forms Committee on Automation

The committee will address the development and deployment of automated vehicles and the Department of Transportation’s related research and regulations.

January 13, 2017
DOT Forms Committee on Automation

A new committee will address the development and deployment of automated vehicles and the DOT’s related research and regulations. Seen here is a Google self-driving car prototype.

3 min to read


A new committee will address the development and deployment of automated vehicles and the DOT’s related research and regulations. Seen here is a Google self-driving car prototype.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is establishing a new advisory committee focused on automation across multiple modes.

The committee is slated to hold its first meeting on Monday. According to the DOT, the group will work on some of the most pressing matters facing transportation today, including the development and deployment of automated vehicles, and determining the needs of the DOT as it continues with its related research, policy, and regulations.

Ad Loading...

“During my time at the department, we have fostered some of the most significant technological changes to ever take place in transportation, and we did so while keeping our focus on the safety of the American people,” outgoing U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. ”This new automation committee will work to advance lifesaving innovations while boosting our economy and making our transportation network more fair, reliable, and efficient.”

According to the DOT, as technology develops, automation may play a larger role in a number of modes of transportation, including cars, buses, trains, planes, and UAS (drone) systems. The automation committee is tasked with sharing best practices, challenges, and opportunities and opening lines of communication so that stakeholders can learn and adapt based on feedback from each other.

Here are the committee members:

1. Co-chair: Mary Barra, General Motors, chairman and CEO
2. Co-chair: Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles
3. Vice chair: Dr. J. Chris Gerdes, Stanford University, professor of engineering
4. Gloria Boyland, FedEx, corporate vice president, operations and service support
5. Robin Chase, co-founder of Zipcar and Veniam
6. Douglas Chey, Hyperloop One, senior vice president of systems development
7. Henry Claypool, Community Living Policy Center, policy director
8. Mick Cornett, mayor of Oklahoma City
9. Mary “Missy” Cummings, Duke University, director, Humans and Autonomy Lab, Pratt School of Engineering
10. Dean Garfield, Information Technology Industry Council, president and CEO
11. Mary Gustanski, Delphi Automotive, vice president of engineering and program management
12. Debbie Hersman, National Safety Council, president and CEO
13. Rachel Holt, Uber, regional general manager, U.S. and Canada
14. Lisa Jackson, Apple, vice president of environment, policy, and social initiatives
15. Tim Kentley-Klay, Zoox, co-founder and CEO
16. John Krafcik, Waymo, CEO
17. Gerry Murphy, Amazon, senior corporate counsel, aviation
18. Robert Reich, University of California, Berkeley, chancellor's professor of public policy, Richard and Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy
19. Keller Rinaudo, Zipline International, CEO
20. Chris Spear, American Trucking Associations, president and CEO
21. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, Safety Reliability Methods Inc., founder and CEO
22. Bryant Walker Smith, University of South Carolina, assistant professor, School of Law and (by courtesy) School of Engineering
23. Jack Weekes, State Farm Insurance, operations vice president, innovation team
24. Ed Wytkind, AFL-CIO, president, transportation trades department
25. John Zimmer, Lyft, co-founder and president

More Safety

zonar system image
SponsoredMay 1, 2026

What Data Shows About Student Transportation in 2026

Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.

Read More →
an overturned school bus on a roadway after an accident
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 24, 2026

NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation

The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredApril 20, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A close-up view of the top of a yellow school bus with “School Bus” signage and red lights, overlaid with a cracked-glass effect. Text on the image reads, “Multi-Vehicle Crash in TN Takes 2 Lives” and “March 27, 2026,” with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 17, 2026

2 Students Die in Tennessee School Bus Crash with Dump Truck

A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.

Read More →
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of Wisconsin political figures by a table and text reading "Legislative Roundup April 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesApril 17, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: Driver Shortages, EV Debates & Safety Upgrades

From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
A rendering of the 6th-generation Waymo Driver on Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 9, 2026

Senate Report: Autonomous Car Companies Hiding Reliance on Remote Operators

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Children cross in front of a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended while a nearby vehicle waits, illustrating school zone safety and risks of illegal passing.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 9, 2026

Industry Suppliers Offer Distracted Driving Awareness Month Reminders

Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.

Read More →
Graphic featuring a headshot of Michael Graham, Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, wearing a dark suit and red tie against an orange gradient background, with “Leadership Update” and School Bus Fleet branding on the left.
Safetyby StaffApril 8, 2026

NTSB Names Michael Graham Vice Chair: Where He Stands on School Bus Safety

A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.

Read More →
Graphic with bold yellow background and red headline reading “A Split Second from Disaster,” alongside a photo of a freight train traveling down railroad tracks. Subtext reads, “What one incident reminds us about railroad crossing safety,” with School Bus Fleet branding at the bottom.
Safetyby Amanda HuggettApril 7, 2026

'A Train Is Coming': Florida School Bus Close Call Highlights Critical Railroad Safety Reminders

Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 7, 2026

No Train, No Stop? FMCSA Considers Rule Change for School Buses

The federal agency's proposed rulemaking would eliminate the requirement for school buses to come to a complete stop at railroad crossings if the warning device is not activated. The goal: to improve traffic flow and save costs. With new data released, public comment is open through April 27, 2026.

Read More →