AV industry stakeholders, including the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association and Aurora, called the agency’s 52-year-old safety requirements outdated. Melissa Wade, senior director of government relations, noted that the FMCSA hasn’t provided data that supports its safety claims around physical triangles. She also said the agency didn’t provide guidance for what they would like to see in an AV-friendly substitute for safety triangles.

The request was supported by other AV companies like Waabi and Kodiak Robotics, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Consumer Technology Association, among others. It was opposed by organizations like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the Transport Workers Union of America, and the Truck Safety Coalition.