Automated Vehicle Tech: New DOT Request for Information

DOT Seeks Input on Automated Vehicle Research

A new document from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on August 18, 2025. The agency is asking for public input on research ideas that support the nationwide rollout of automated vehicle technology.

This request for information (RFI) is aimed at the public, technology developers, transportation officials, and commercial fleet operators. The goal is to better understand how automated vehicles can operate safely and efficiently across the country.

Although the RFI covers many topics, several questions are especially relevant to the trucking industry.

Automated Vehicle Research for Long-Haul Trucking

The DOT wants to learn more about how automated vehicle fleets will operate, especially in long-distance freight movement. It specifically mentions “transcontinental automated truck trips.” These are long-haul routes that automated trucks may travel across multiple states.

The agency is seeking input on several areas. These include how to handle fueling and charging for AV trucks. It also includes inspections, emergency maintenance, and other roadside services.

DOT also asks what digital tools and types of data would help support these services. This shows the agency is thinking about how to connect automated vehicles with real-world trucking needs.

Sharing Data from Automated Vehicle Systems

The DOT wants better data from automated vehicles. It also wants ideas on how to standardize that data across platforms.

The agency is asking how AV-related events should be categorized and reported. This includes unexpected driving behavior or disruptions in traffic caused by AVs.

It also asks, “What new or enhanced statistical methodologies… can be applied to create benchmarks for AV impacts on transportation system performance?” These methods might include confidence intervals or comparisons with human driver behavior.

Another key area is open-data portals. The DOT wants to know how data can be shared with the public, researchers, and government agencies. It also wants ideas about which datasets are most useful for truck operations and maintenance.

Infrastructure and Mapping Needs

The agency is looking for input on what types of infrastructure data AVs need to operate safely.

This includes how AVs should respond to temporary conditions. These could include detours, work zones, or bad weather. It also includes ideas for how that information should be delivered to vehicles in real time.

The DOT wants to know what mapping standards should be used for roads, intersections, bridges, tunnels, parking areas, and more. They ask about 3D maps and how much resolution would be needed. They also ask if companies would use maps if they were free, or what they would be willing to pay.

Finally, the agency wants ideas for how these maps could be downloaded and updated in trucks or company servers.

Studying Edge Cases for Automated Vehicle Behavior

The DOT is looking for research ideas to study how AVs perform during unusual or difficult situations. These are often called “edge cases.”

Examples include AV behavior during:

• Fog, snow, or rain
• Road construction or lane closures
• Encounters with emergency vehicles
• Mechanical or sensor failures

The agency wants to know how to test and measure the consistency of AV behavior during these types of events. It also wants input on how to study these events across different environments like highways, urban streets, and rural roads.

Human Interaction with Automated Vehicle Systems

The DOT is also interested in how AVs interact with people. This includes emergency responders, pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers.

It asks, “What research is needed to optimize human-machine interfaces for diverse user groups… to enhance safety, accessibility, and trust in mixed traffic environments?”

The agency also wants to explore how to protect the reliability of AV-related data. It mentions the importance of data integrity and long-term preservation. This includes data storage methods that can’t be altered and can hold up in legal or policy decisions.

Public Trust and Transparency

The DOT says that public trust is important for AV deployment. The RFI includes several questions about transparency and data access.

It asks what data formats, APIs, and standards are needed to make AV data more accessible. It also asks how AV data—such as post-disengagement information—can be shared through public research hubs.

DOT is also asking for ideas on how to map edge cases nationwide. It wants to know what mapping standards and geographic resolution would be useful.

A National Research Plan for Automated Vehicle Deployment

The goal of this RFI is to help create a national research agenda. That agenda will help guide how automated vehicle systems are used across the country.

The RFI notes that it “does not cover vehicle safety topics already included within existing vehicle safety regulatory responsibilities under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) including its recently released AV Framework, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).”

This document is not a funding opportunity. It is a request for research ideas and public feedback.

How to Respond to the Request for Information

Written comments are due 60 days after the publication date. That places the deadline in mid-October 2025. Responses should be submitted by email. Files must be in Microsoft Word format and no more than 15 pages.

Truck drivers, carriers, fleet operators, and others in the industry are encouraged to respond. Their feedback could help shape how automated vehicle systems are deployed, supported, and regulated nationwide.