mr. samuelson and mr. [inaudible] representing the many men and women that are on these trucks and vehicles. what -- how do you envision a regulatory environment or scheme in which your workers would be protected? and the transit operators and people that are on those vehicles would also be protected? what do we need to do to create a regulatory environment? >> so if i may, i believe the main thing here is to understand that we've, we've seen advanced technology introduced into public transit several times before, in my 30 years, this is about the 34 significant wave of technology coming in. and the technology can be used for enhanced service delivery, safety, state of good repair, while simultaneously benefiting workers. and that's, that's what a regulatory framework from the federal government should emphasize. that all of these can work synergistically together, to produce a really good outcome for writers and transit systems and workers, where no worker gets left behind, and no writer gets endangered.

mr. samuelson.t time the subcommittee held a hearing on the topic was in 2013. that's going on ten years ago. and at that time, atvs were still considered a technology of the future. but today there is at least 1400 including automatic commercial vehicles being tested on u.s. roadways in 36 different states. what do you think is a realistic timeline for the deployment of your technology specifically vehicles with level four automation and above and what can americans expect, when can americans expect to see the vehicles driving on the roads next to them? >> madam chair, i'm happy to jump in and then deeper to my colleagues on the panel here. i think as a baseline matter, we see this technology on the roads today as you noted. one of the most important things to see this technology scale, and again it is as noted being used in pilot projects carrying freight and helping to alleviate the crisis that we face as well as other instances where the technology is one example in arizona providing meals to in

mr. samuelson have every stage of automated development. including research testing and implementation. you elaborate and tell me how this is implemented how workers have a seat at the table every step of the way? >> yes. and what definitely needs to be done is that the federal government needs to set up a framework to protect workers and jobs and allow a situation where transit providers implement technology that eliminates workers. the federal government has an ability to have transit employers to develop engage in workforce development investment and to engage with communities and workers in such a way where they are discussed well ahead of time before the time of implementation and those are happening now where they had power for instance in new york city that is a common element with the contracts in new york. but the federal government needs to adopt the uniform standards with city after city after city. >> my policymaking always centers around the building the transportation system acceptable for all is always a top priority. i do have additional questions i will submit for the r

mr. samuelson, i want to thank the transportation -- transport workers union are making provision and the bipartisan infrastructure bill to improve transit safety -- with bus driver protection and blind spot removal requirements. how can technology help drivers with blind spot issues and general safety issues? >> thank you for the question. in terms of blind spots on buses it is a fact that buses in the united states across every transportation district, every transit provider, bus operators are ordered through to go through pedestrian right of way areas -- on buses with blind spots. that is a bit of a disaster waiting to happen. it's an example of where technology has such an extremely positive place in terms of collision avoidance. that type of thing in order to protect pedestrians, and the rioters and operators. technology has its place. i'm sorry, you asked a second question and i forget what it was. >> helping drivers with point spots. because if they implemented at the avs, then -- i don't know what technology can do to avoid having to help prevent accidents. >> absolutely, the tech

mr. john samuelson, international president transportation workers union of america. ms. katherine chase, president advocates for highway and auto safety, mr. abuse, vice president of safety aurora, mr. doug block, political director for joint council, mr. larco, next center university of oregon. mr. wolf, general council opt autonomous industry. thank you for being here today. without objection, our witnesses' full statement will be included in the record. since your testimony has been made a part of the record, the subcommittee requests that you limit your oral testimony to five minutes. first, ms. tatum, you may proceed. >> good morning, chair norton, ranking member, and members of the subcommittee. i am the vice may your protem on the southwest side of houston. i'm here today on behalf of the national league of cities to discuss our experiences with piloting autonomous vehicles. zero is the only acceptable number of deaths on america's roads. today we are losing far too many of our residents to dangerous roads in houston and across this country. and efforts to reduce f