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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today released the following statement after Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx unveiled a 10-year, nearly $4 billion proposal in President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget that would accelerate the development and adoption of automated vehicles.

“Today, Secretary Foxx laid out a bold vision to ensure that Michigan and the United States remain in the driver’s seat when it comes to developing connected vehicle technologies, which have the potential to save lives, decrease energy use and transform transportation in this country. As demonstrated at the North American International Auto Show this week, these products are already being researched, designed and developed in southeast Michigan, and this investment will ensure this work continues well into the future. 

“This proposed increase in funding and the new policy guidance on autonomous vehicles will also help accelerate critical projects like the proposal to convert the former Willow Run plant into an autonomous vehicle testing facility. Willow Run is a perfect testing site with infrastructure already in place, a connection to Mcity at the University of Michigan, close proximity to research and development for companies and Michigan’s four seasons, which will make for more realistic testing conditions. We will work hard to ensure Congress steps up and implements this budget proposal so the Willow Run testing facility and other projects critical for Michigan can become a reality. This represents an historic opportunity for members of both parties to come together to support and enhance the auto industry’s comeback and help create more cutting-edge jobs in our state. This will be among my top priorities moving forward.”