Kamala Harris and Transportation Tech Policies

As the November 5 presidential election approaches, the Spring 2024 edition of the Unified Agenda provides a glimpse into potential regulatory actions that could be taken by a future Kamala Harris administration. If elected, Harris may diverge from some Biden administration policies, particularly in the realm of transportation automation, as indicated by the 222 active rulemaking projects listed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Among the 19 new rulemaking projects introduced in this edition, two notable initiatives focus on transportation automation: the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) proposal for "Automated Track Inspection" and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) "Incident Reporting Requirements for Automated Driving Systems." These projects are expected to be published in late 2024, although they may be delayed until 2025 if Harris wins the presidency. Labor unions representing track inspectors have expressed strong opposition to automation, fearing job displacement. The FRA's shift towards requiring Automated Track Inspection marks a significant change in its stance, as the agency previously resisted the railroad industry's push for increased automation. This inconsistency reflects the Biden administration's complex relationship with transportation automation, which has been characterized by a cautious approach, particularly due to labor concerns. The NHTSA's Standing General Order remains the most significant action taken by the Biden administration regarding driving automation technologies. However, the administration's slow progress in developing autonomous vehicle policies has been attributed to its commitment to organized labor, which largely opposes such advancements.