Federal Highway Administration National Dialogue on Highway Automation: June 26-27, 2018 Policy and Planning Workshop Summary
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Summary
This document summarizes the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) National Dialogue on Highway Automation, specifically the Policy and Planning Workshop held in Philadelphia in June 2018. The National Dialogue was a series of six workshops designed to engage the transportation community in discussing how to safely and efficiently integrate automated vehicles (AVs) into the national road network. The Policy and Planning Workshop aimed to gather stakeholder input on the impacts of AVs on highway infrastructure, safety, policy, and operations, while prioritizing actions to inform existing FHWA programs and establishing clear communication channels between public agencies and the private sector. The workshop involved nearly 200 participants from industry, government, academia, and associations. The methodology consisted of four structured sessions: two breakout sessions focusing on issues/challenges and opportunities/strategies, a "Collaboration Corner" featuring interactive stations for specific topics, and a final session for action planning. Participants utilized small group discussions, post-it note exercises, and suggestion boxes to provide input on policy challenges, funding, workforce impacts, and data management. The document synthesizes these qualitative inputs to identify key themes and recommendations for federal, state, and local agencies. Key findings identified safety as the paramount priority, with participants calling for clear safety standards for AV testing and operation, and closer coordination between FHWA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Stakeholders highlighted significant challenges regarding funding, noting uncertainty over federal eligibility for AV-specific infrastructure upgrades and the potential decline in traditional revenue sources like fuel taxes due to increased electric vehicle adoption. Participants emphasized the need for a clear federal vision and a national roadmap to guide policy development, as inconsistent state laws and unclear roles among government levels create barriers. Additionally, the workshop revealed a need for standardized terminology, better public education to combat misinformation, and flexible transportation planning processes to address uncertainties regarding congestion, land use, and mobility. The significance of this report lies in its identification of critical gaps in current policy and planning frameworks for AV integration. It underscores the necessity for the USDOT to define roles, develop a national roadmap with clear milestones, and provide guidance on data management and infrastructure investment. The findings suggest that transportation planning must evolve to remain iterative and flexible, incorporating scenario planning to manage uncertainties. Furthermore, the report highlights the importance of addressing equity concerns, ensuring AV benefits reach rural and disadvantaged populations, and preparing the workforce for technological shifts. These insights serve to inform future FHWA research, policies, and technical guidance, facilitating a coordinated approach to AV deployment across all levels of government.
Key finding
Workshop participants identified safety as the top priority for automated vehicle policy while highlighting critical challenges related to funding availability, inconsistent state regulations, and the need for a national roadmap to guide infrastructure planning and workforce adaptation.
Methodology
other
Sample size: 200
Provenance
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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.
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