Legal Action Against FMCSA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is facing criticism from Aurora, a developer of autonomous truck technology, following the agency’s late last year decision to reject a petition from Aurora and Waymo. This petition sought an exemption from regulations related to warning device placement.
Filing a Lawsuit
On January 10, Aurora initiated a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation and FMCSA. The company is asking the court to review the exemption denial, arguing that the FMCSA’s ruling “stifles safety innovation and unnecessarily hinders the growth of the autonomous trucking sector.”
Exemption Request Details
Aurora and Waymo had requested authorization to utilize “cab-mounted warning beacons” as roadside warning devices for their autonomous trucks, whether they were operating with or without a human present during the testing phase.
Current Regulations
Under existing regulations, if a commercial motor vehicle stops on a highway shoulder for any reason other than necessary traffic stops, the driver must place warning devices in specific locations, including one on the traffic side and two others at intervals to alert oncoming traffic.
FMCSA’s Justification for Denial
FMCSA stated that the wide-ranging exemption request lacked sufficient supporting data and the necessary controls to guarantee safety on highways. However, the agency mentioned that applicants could still seek limited exemptions tailored to specific companies and locations.
Aurora’s Response and Concerns
Aurora’s President, Ossa Fisher, noted that the FMCSA decision prompts a broader discussion about safety and innovation on U.S. roads. She pointed out that while their application doesn’t prevent compliance with current regulations, the existing roadside warning system is outdated. Fisher emphasized that the current method of using warning triangles is over half a century old and hasn’t been supported by effective safety data.
Future Studies by FMCSA
Just days after denying the request, FMCSA announced its plan to conduct a “Study of Warning Devices for Stopped Commercial Motor Vehicles.” The study aims to gather data on whether warning devices significantly affect crash-related human behaviors in the presence of stationary commercial vehicles.
