NHTSA Public Meeting - Written Comments

It's like Congress, in that comments can be submitted on the record in writing, but do not need to actually be uttered from someone's mouth.

These comments were submitted as part of the record of the NHTSA Apr. 8 public meeting to address autonomous vehicles.

Comment #1: One sentence. Basically - driverless vehicles are good for economic development.

Comment #2: First, I have no idea how credible this comment is because I know nothing about safe or unsafe exposure to radiation and lasers. The comment claims that we should be very concerned about the amount of radiation beaming to and from autonomous vehicles; and that the public will not and should not accept AV until the laser and radiation issues are addressed. The commenter includes aviation safety in the realm of issues that arise in relation to lasers being everywhere.

Comment #3: The needs of wheelchair users, specifically locking mechanisms, should be considered. Also an extremely brief comment.

Comment #4: A two-page, thoughtful comment from a coalition representing people with disabilities. The signers are:

American Association of People with Disabilities 

American Foundation for the Blind 

Association on University Centers on Disability 

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund 

Easter Seals 

National Council on Independent Living

National Federation of the Blind 

Paralyzed Veterans of America 

The Arc of the United States United Spinal

The disability community is asking for the realization of the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), meaning full inclusion, which requires getting from place to place like everyone else. Driverless vehicles, which do not require eyesight or ability to turn a steering wheel, or put a foot on a brake, can help realize this dream for millions. Okay, I added stuff, but that's the gist of the letter. They also want a meeting and to work with DOT on making sure we have universally-designed driverless vehicles.

Comment #5: A software engineer's list of questions to address about artificial intelligence (AI) in driverless vehicles. These questions are really comments and they concentrate on the thought that DOT should regulate, rather than provide guidelines, for AI software for driverless vehicles.

I'm not a software engineer, but it is plain as the nose on your face to any thinking individual that someone at DOT should be considering the issues raised about AI use in partially and completely autonomous vehicles.