pilot program for collaborative research on motor vehicles with high or full driving automation nhtsa is seeking public comment on matters related to the near-term and long-term challenges of automated driving systems ads testing development and eventual deployment. ads testing and development are already underway in several areas of the united states. as technology evolves and in anticipation of requests to test and further develo high and full ads including those in vehicles without traditional controls necessary for a human driver nhtsa is issuing this anprm to obtain public comments on the factors and structure that are appropriate for the agency to consider in designing a national pilot program that will enable it to facilitate monitor and learn from the testing and development of the emerging advanced vehicle safety technologies and to assure the safety of those activities. the agency seeks these comments from interested stakeholders including state and local authorities companies researchers safety advocates and other experts interested in engaged in or planning to become engaged in the design development testing and deployment of motor vehicles with high and full driving automation. the agency also seeks comments from road users including vehicle drivers and passengers cyclists and pedestrians. more specifically nhtsa requests comments on the following topics related to ads safety research. first nhtsa seeks comments on potential factors that should be considered in designing a pilot program for the safe on-road testing and deployment of vehicles with high and full driving automation and associated equipment. second the agency seeks comments on the use of existing statutory provisions and regulations to allow for the implementation of such a pilot program. third the agency seeks comment on any additional elements of regulatory relief e.g. exceptions exemptions or other potential measures that might be needed to facilitate the efforts to participate in the pilot program and conduct on-road research and testing involving these vehicles especially those that lack controls for human drivers and thus may not comply with all existing safety standards. fourth with respect to the granting of exemptions to enable companies to participate in such a program the agency seeks comments on the nature of the safety and any other analyses that it should perform in assessing the merits of individual exemption petitions and on the types of terms and conditions it should consider attaching to exemptions to protect public safety and facilitate the agencys monitoring and learning from the testing and deployment while preserving the freedom to innovate. by developing a robust record of the answers to these important questions nhtsa expects to learn more about the progress of ads and the ways in which the agency can facilitate safe and efficient ads testing and deployment for the benefit of individual consumers and the traveling public as a whole.