Advanced Transportation News Update

NHTSA is granting an exemption to Zoox, Inc. (Zoox) to allow it to manufacture and deploy commercially a passenger car, which is equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS), that does not comply with certain requirements in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Specifically, NHTSA grants Zoox an exemption for its Zoox sedan from certain requirements in eight FMVSS: FMVSS No. 103, Windshield defrosting and defogging systems; FMVSS No. 104, Windshield wiping and washing systems; FMVSS No. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment; FMVSS No. 111, Rear…

Transportation Department, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration · Jul. 31, 2026

Updating and Expanding Guidance on Safe Development and Deployment of Automated Driving Systems

NHTSA intends to issue comprehensive, updated guidance supporting the safe development and deployment of automated driving systems. The last agency guidance was published in 2017, titled Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety (ADS 2.0). For this initiative, NHTSA will draw on its internal expertise and public feedback gathered through ongoing stakeholder engagement. NHTSA intends to release draft guidance documents on individual topics (or chapters) as they are available. The public is invited to comment on each chapter through this open docket. After reviewing public comments,…

Transportation Department, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration · Jul. 31, 2026

AV Framework Updates and Request for Comments on Interim Guidance

In April 2025, DOT and NHTSA announced a new automated vehicle framework designed to prioritize safety, promote innovation, foster American ingenuity, and remove regulatory barriers to the advancement of automated driving system technologies. This notice furthers NHTSA's implementation of this framework by requesting public comment on interim guidance for commercial deployment exemptions for automated vehicles. This notice also summarizes NHTSA's other recent activity relating to the AV Framework.

Transportation Department, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration · Jul. 31, 2026

Atlas Energy Solutions Expands AI-Enabled Digital Transformation of Oilfield Logistics with Kodiak-Powered Driverless Trucks

01net · Jul. 31, 2026

Other Advanced Transportation

USDOT Announces $22 Million for Transit Innovation, Updates High-Speed Rail Rules

Metro Magazine · Jul. 31, 2026

Duffy announces rollback of noise emissions standards to clear way for high-speed rail

Washington Examiner · Jul. 31, 2026

Regulatory Deadline Tracker

Agency	Action	Comment period	Days	Status
FAA	Section 2209 fixed-site UAS flight restrictions / Part 74	Closes August 5, 2026	4	Open for comment
FAA	Civil supersonic overland flight / interim noise standard	Closes August 17, 2026	16	Open for comment
FAA and TSA	Routine BVLOS drone operations / Part 108	Closed February 11, 2026	—	Pending final rule
NHTSA	FMVSS No. 102 for ADS-equipped vehicles without manual driving controls	Closed April 15, 2026	—	Pending NHTSA action
NHTSA	FMVSS Nos. 103 and 104 for ADS-equipped vehicles without manual driving controls	Closed April 15, 2026	—	Pending NHTSA action
NHTSA	FMVSS No. 110 for ADS-equipped vehicles	Closed May 1, 2026	—	Pending NHTSA action
NHTSA	Zoox Part 555 temporary exemption petition / FMVSS Nos. 103, 104, 108, 111, 135, 201, 205, and 208	Closed April 10, 2026	—	Pending petition decision

Headlines at a Glance

UAS Security and C-UAS

Military

Autonomous Vehicles

Other Advanced Transportation

International

UAS Security and C-UAS

Military

Autonomous Vehicles

Other Advanced Transportation

International

Regulatory Deadline Tracker