Commonsense update to AV brake pedal requirements

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently removed the mandate for manual brake pedals in autonomous vehicles (AVs) as part of its efforts toward “commonsense” measures. This applies to vehicles designed to be driven exclusively by automated driving systems with no human behind the wheel.

This action is the fifth update to the DOT’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), aligning with previous actions to remove the types of equipment vehicles won’t need if a human being is not present in the vehicle (e.g., windshield wipers, rearview mirrors, etc.).

NHTSA says it will continue enforcing all other brake-related requirements, such as stopping distance standards.

Along with removing brake pedals, NHTSA has also made the following FMVSS updates:

• Assured its further development of real-world safety performance for AVs,
• Removed requirements for hand- or foot-operated brake controls for vehicles that won’t be driven by a human,
• Declared that all subject vehicles must still meet the expected stopping distance performance criteria, and
• Stated its continued authority to oversee recalls investigate unsafe automated driving behaviors.