Robot, Take the Wheel: Public Policy for Automated Vehicles

Produced by the Mowat Centre at the School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Toronto.Automated vehicles present a potentially revolutionary change to the way that we move people and goods. This technology is already developing quickly. Today, many vehicles offer a significant array of computer-assisted driving features. Meanwhile, fully-automated vehicles are being developed and tested both by traditional auto manufacturers and new entrants. Automated vehicles could be ready for public roads within five to ten years. Before they reach our roads, governments need to consider potential policy implications and develop a framework that balances the many interests and issues at play. This report provides an overview of automated vehicle technologies and the range of near- and long-term policy implications that they present. The goal is to provide policymakers with an on-ramp toward understanding the opportunities and challenges that come with this disruptive technology, as well as to provide a framework to chart a path forward