Governor Carney Signs Executive Order to Establish Advisory Council on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Council will study economic development opportunities, infrastructure needs, and report to Governor and General Assembly

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday signed an executive order establishing an advisory council on connected and autonomous vehicles to ensure that Delaware remains at the forefront of emerging transportation technology, and to evaluate the technology’s impact on public safety, cybersecurity, and the design of Delaware’s transportation network.

The 19-member council will develop recommendations for innovative tools and strategies that can be used to prepare Delaware’s transportation network for connected and autonomous vehicles, and the council will report back to the Governor and the General Assembly by September 2018.

Governor Carney signed the executive order on Tuesday morning at AAA Mid-Atlantic’s headquarters in Wilmington.

“We must remain forward-looking to ensure that Delawareans can capitalize on the economic benefits of new technology, and to position our state as a leader in the 21st century economy,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware can and should be a proving ground for this new technology. This council will help us identify economic opportunities related to connected and autonomous vehicles, and address potential issues as manufacturers continue to develop this new technology.”

Full text of Executive Order #14 is available here.

Governor Carney signed the executive order just days after signing the Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Investment Act, bipartisan legislation that will accelerate investments in mobile broadband infrastructure, expand access to high-speed internet for Delawareans and businesses across the state, and encourage innovation.

Expanding broadband access was a recommendation of Governor Carney’s Action Plan For Delaware. Delaware’s robust telecommunications system could position the state as an early adopter of new vehicle technology, and as a home for manufacturers and innovators.

The advisory council on connected and autonomous vehicles will bring together state government officials, industry representatives, state lawmakers, city planners, and representatives from institutions of higher education to study the issue and its potential opportunities for Delaware. Specifically, the council will develop recommendations related to economic development; technology, security, and privacy; transportation network infrastructure; and the impact of emerging technologies on public and highway safety.

“As automated vehicle technology continues to develop, this council will help inform and guide how Delaware can be best positioned to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Jennifer Cohan, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation.

“As the motorist’s advocate, AAA’s goal is to support autonomous vehicle innovation with an eye toward safety and ease of consumer use and understanding,” said Berni Koch, CEO of AAA Mid-Atlantic. “We appreciate the opportunity to serve on the state’s AV Task Force, and applaud the leadership of Governor Carney and the hard work by Secretary Cohan and her team to position Delaware on the leading edge of an evolution in transportation.”

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Additional photos from the executive order signing are available he re.

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