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C. TODAY
Unlocking the Benefits
of Autonomous Vehicles
By U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The United States is in a global race to develop mobility benefits of AVs also include gains
the game-changing technologies that will in jobs and income for nondrivers, disabled
determine which country will lead the 21st- people, and people living in areas with limited
century innovation economy. This competition is access to public transit.
particularly evident on our nation's roadways with
the rise of autonomous vehicles (AVs). Global AV Leadership
However, as this international contest for • As Dr. Shapiro said, "the country that leads the
innovation leadership is underway, it is essential world in autonomous vehicle innovation will set
to grasp the profound impact these emerging the rules of the road for a generation."
technologies will have on American society.
• In analyzing the safety, mobility, climate, and
To better understand what these impacts will economic benefits of AVs, the report addresses
be, a new U.S. Chamber of Commerce report, the geopolitical implications of the emergence
"Innovation Highway: Unlocking the Benefits of of AVs in U.S. and global markets. Specifically,
Autonomous Vehicles," authored by former U.S. the report cautions that American producers will
Under-Secretary of Commerce Dr. Robert Shapiro face strong competition from China and other
uses advanced economic modeling to measure foreign competitors—further necessitating
the substantial socio-economic benefits of American leadership in AV innovation.
autonomous vehicles. These benefits include fewer
traffic accidents, enhanced mobility for seniors, Timeline of AV Adoption
disabled individuals, and non-drivers, improved air
quality, and vast economic possibilities. • While the timeline for widespread AV adoption
varies—with some experts predicting it to be
The report's findings also serve as a roadmap for within the next 5-15 years—policymakers can
policymakers and regulators to cultivate conditions accelerate this timeline by adopting a national
that maximize AV technology’s potential while AV framework and revising safety standards
fostering innovation and competition. to promote the continued innovation and
development of this technology.
Key Findings
Policy Recommendations
The study reveals the following potential benefits
of autonomous vehicles when they comprise 25 The U.S. Chamber has been calling for
percent of the U.S. motor vehicle fleet, with 2021 policymakers to take the necessary action to
as the baseline. advance the development and implementation of
this guidance. These recommendations include:
• Increased safety: Autonomous vehicles
could prevent 1,442,000 accidents and • Enact a national AV regulatory
12,000 fatalities, resulting in economic framework: Congress must enact a targeted
savings of $94 billion. national regulatory framework for AVs that
increases the number of exemptions for
• Enhanced mobility and access: Autonomous innovative motor designs, expands AV testing,
vehicles could increase annual vehicle miles directs the U.S. Department of Transportation
traveled (VMT) by persons with disabilities by (DOT) to modernize motor vehicle safety
4.6 billion miles, elderly individuals by 4.9 billion laws, and preserves the ability for the federal
miles, and nondrivers by 2.4 billion miles. government to regulate the safety of AVs.
• Strengthened economic • Modernize existing safety regulations: The
competitiveness: The growing AV sector is U.S. Department of Transportation must
critical to bolstering the future of America’s update its existing safety regulations to
motor vehicle industry—which employs over 4 accommodate novel motor vehicle designs,
million people—as well as enabling the growth such as AVs, and create an effective national
of new and existing industries key to economic demonstration and deployment program to
growth and competitiveness. Moreover, the expediate the commercialization of AVs.
17 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
Unlocking the Benefits
of Autonomous Vehicles
By U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The United States is in a global race to develop mobility benefits of AVs also include gains
the game-changing technologies that will in jobs and income for nondrivers, disabled
determine which country will lead the 21st- people, and people living in areas with limited
century innovation economy. This competition is access to public transit.
particularly evident on our nation's roadways with
the rise of autonomous vehicles (AVs). Global AV Leadership
However, as this international contest for • As Dr. Shapiro said, "the country that leads the
innovation leadership is underway, it is essential world in autonomous vehicle innovation will set
to grasp the profound impact these emerging the rules of the road for a generation."
technologies will have on American society.
• In analyzing the safety, mobility, climate, and
To better understand what these impacts will economic benefits of AVs, the report addresses
be, a new U.S. Chamber of Commerce report, the geopolitical implications of the emergence
"Innovation Highway: Unlocking the Benefits of of AVs in U.S. and global markets. Specifically,
Autonomous Vehicles," authored by former U.S. the report cautions that American producers will
Under-Secretary of Commerce Dr. Robert Shapiro face strong competition from China and other
uses advanced economic modeling to measure foreign competitors—further necessitating
the substantial socio-economic benefits of American leadership in AV innovation.
autonomous vehicles. These benefits include fewer
traffic accidents, enhanced mobility for seniors, Timeline of AV Adoption
disabled individuals, and non-drivers, improved air
quality, and vast economic possibilities. • While the timeline for widespread AV adoption
varies—with some experts predicting it to be
The report's findings also serve as a roadmap for within the next 5-15 years—policymakers can
policymakers and regulators to cultivate conditions accelerate this timeline by adopting a national
that maximize AV technology’s potential while AV framework and revising safety standards
fostering innovation and competition. to promote the continued innovation and
development of this technology.
Key Findings
Policy Recommendations
The study reveals the following potential benefits
of autonomous vehicles when they comprise 25 The U.S. Chamber has been calling for
percent of the U.S. motor vehicle fleet, with 2021 policymakers to take the necessary action to
as the baseline. advance the development and implementation of
this guidance. These recommendations include:
• Increased safety: Autonomous vehicles
could prevent 1,442,000 accidents and • Enact a national AV regulatory
12,000 fatalities, resulting in economic framework: Congress must enact a targeted
savings of $94 billion. national regulatory framework for AVs that
increases the number of exemptions for
• Enhanced mobility and access: Autonomous innovative motor designs, expands AV testing,
vehicles could increase annual vehicle miles directs the U.S. Department of Transportation
traveled (VMT) by persons with disabilities by (DOT) to modernize motor vehicle safety
4.6 billion miles, elderly individuals by 4.9 billion laws, and preserves the ability for the federal
miles, and nondrivers by 2.4 billion miles. government to regulate the safety of AVs.
• Strengthened economic • Modernize existing safety regulations: The
competitiveness: The growing AV sector is U.S. Department of Transportation must
critical to bolstering the future of America’s update its existing safety regulations to
motor vehicle industry—which employs over 4 accommodate novel motor vehicle designs,
million people—as well as enabling the growth such as AVs, and create an effective national
of new and existing industries key to economic demonstration and deployment program to
growth and competitiveness. Moreover, the expediate the commercialization of AVs.
17 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
