Analysis of autonomous vehicle policies.

Gibson, Bryan · 2017 · ROSA P / Kentucky. Transportation Cabinet

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Summary

This report, authored by Bryan Gibson for the Kentucky Transportation Center, addresses the policy and regulatory challenges associated with the emerging deployment of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs). Motivated by the rapid technological advancement of self-driving systems and their potential to transform the U.S. transportation system over the next three decades, the study aims to provide legislators and regulators with a comprehensive overview of CAV technologies, their societal impacts, and the current legal landscape. The primary objective is to identify gaps in existing Kentucky laws and propose strategies for streamlining the safe integration of these vehicles into roadway networks. The research methodology consists of a structured literature review and a comparative legal analysis. The report defines CAVs using SAE International’s six levels of automation and distinguishes between autonomous navigation systems and connected vehicle communication technologies (V2V and V2I). It synthesizes existing academic and industry literature regarding consumer acceptance, potential benefits such as crash reduction and congestion alleviation, and barriers including privacy concerns, high costs, and job displacement. Furthermore, the study examines federal guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and reviews enacted and proposed legislation in other states to identify common regulatory themes, such as liability frameworks and testing protocols. Finally, the report conducts a detailed audit of Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) and Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR) to pinpoint specific provisions that may conflict with or fail to address autonomous operations. Key findings indicate that while CAVs offer significant safety and efficiency benefits, their widespread adoption presents complex policy hurdles. The analysis reveals that federal agencies encourage states to retain responsibility for driver licensing, vehicle registration, and insurance, while establishing clear guidelines for testing and liability. The review of state legislation shows that shared areas of concern include defining autonomous vehicles, establishing public roadway testing protocols, and determining manufacturer liability in crash scenarios. In the context of Kentucky, the audit of KRS and KAR identifies critical ambiguities, particularly regarding the definition of a "vehicle operator," licensing requirements, and regulations on cell phone usage, all of which presuppose human control. The report concludes that Kentucky policymakers must revise these statutes to accommodate vehicles lacking human drivers to avoid legal conflicts and facilitate timely adoption. The significance of this work lies in its provision of a foundational framework for Kentucky’s regulatory response to autonomous technology. By highlighting specific statutory barriers and aligning them with broader federal and state trends, the report offers actionable insights for lawmakers. It emphasizes the need for proactive policy development to balance safety, innovation, and economic implications, such as potential job losses in the transportation sector. The findings serve as a guide for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials and legislators to create a coherent legal environment that supports the safe testing and eventual deployment of CAVs, ensuring the state is prepared for the anticipated acceleration of this technology over the next 10 to 15 years.

Key finding

Existing Kentucky statutes and regulations contain provisions that presuppose human vehicle operation, creating potential legal conflicts that policymakers must resolve to facilitate autonomous vehicle deployment.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Topics

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• driverless ads
• acceptance adoption
• dms regulation

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Applied Guidance: policy recommendations
• Theoretical Contribution: conceptual framework