USDOT launches advisory committee for transportation innovation

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced that it has initiated the Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee (TTAC) to provide crucial advice on transportation innovation. Comprising 27 members from diverse backgrounds, the committee will advise USDOT and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on a range of topics, including automation, cybersecurity, safety, accessibility, law, government, entrepreneurship, privacy and equity.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the importance of TTAC, stating, “We are living in a time filled with unprecedented opportunity and unprecedented challenges in transportation. The deep expertise and diverse perspectives of this impressive group will provide advice to ensure the future of transportation is safe, efficient, sustainable, equitable and transformative.”

The committee membership includes experts from academia, think tanks, the public sector, labour and industry. Members will serve two-year terms, with the possibility of re-appointment, and the positions are unpaid. USDOT aimed to select individuals with in-depth knowledge of their respective sectors to ensure diverse and comprehensive viewpoints.

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The inaugural meeting of TTAC is scheduled for 18 January 2024, during which the committee will delve into critical issues related to the future of transportation. These include pathways to safe, secure, equitable, environmentally friendly and accessible deployments of emerging technologies, integrated approaches for cross-modal integration, policies to encourage innovation and frameworks for the secure exchange of transformative transportation data.

In addition, key focus areas include the promotion of automation, fostering a safe and productive U.S. workforce, economic competitiveness, job quality and the identification and elevation of cybersecurity solutions. The committee will also explore ways to protect privacy across transportation systems and infrastructure.

The launch of TTAC reflects the USDOT‘s commitment to navigating the challenges and opportunities posed by the rapidly evolving landscape of transportation technology. As the committee prepares for its first meeting, expectations are high for TTAC to become a driving force in shaping the future of transportation innovation in the country.