Peters Applauds $4 Billion Automated Vehicle Budget Proposal by Obama Administration

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) issued the following statement after Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced a 10-year, $4 billion fiscal year 2017 budget proposal to encourage the development and deployment of automated vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit today:

“Our auto industry is in the midst of a technological revolution that will change the way we get around in the future. As our automakers work to develop the technology to power self-driving vehicles, the federal government must play an integral role in the development of these life-saving and life-improving innovations.

“Today’s announcement is a strong step forward that will help ensure America continues to lead the world in making vehicles that are smarter, safer and more efficient than ever before. I have been proud to be a champion in the U.S. Senate for the development of connected and automated vehicle technologies, many of which are being developed and tested in Michigan. I applaud Secretary Foxx and the Obama Administration for their leadership and support to accelerate the development of these advanced vehicle technologies that will drive the transportation system of the future.”

Peters, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, has strongly supported advanced vehicle technologies in the U.S. Senate. His legislation allowing states to use existing highway funds to invest in vehicle-to-infrastructure safety technology was included the highway bill Congress passed last fall. Peters also introduced the Vehicle Innovation Act to promote investments in research and development of V2X technologies to improve vehicle safety and efficiency. Additionally, Peters worked with Republican Senator Cory Gardner (CO) to create the bipartisan Senate Smart Transportation Caucus, which focuses on federal policies that will ensure American manufacturers continue to lead the development of transformative vehicle technologies.