Autonomous Vehicles Upholding the Promise, Reimagining Mobility

1. Autonomous VehiclesUpholding the Promise, Reimagining Mobility Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers Accessibility Workshop Series July 19, 2019 Carol Tyson, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) Government Affairs Liaison

2. Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund Vision & Principles • DREDF is a legal and policy center led by people with disabilities, and parents of children with disabilities. • We seek a just world where all people, with and without disabilities, live full and independent lives free of discrimination. • Advocate for integration over segregation. • Economic and social disenfranchisement is the result of society’s response. • Access to transportation for all is a civil right.

3. Disability & Mobility in the U.S. Overview • Nearly 1 in 4 people in the U.S. has a disability (up to 61 million) • People with disabilities are 2x as likely to live in poverty, and have insufficient access to healthcare and services • Lack of transportation is reported as the biggest barrier to employment • Access to mobility for disabled travelers can be vastly different depending on income, race, gender, religion, immigration & LGBTQ+ status, rural vs urban settings

4. Past: Campaign for Lifts on Buses Arguments Against Integrated Accessibility • Access was too expensive or impossible • Paratransit / segregated service cheaper than integration Lessons • Accessibility is possible if it’s a priority • Accessibility and integration are cheaper at the outset • Curb Cut Effect = broad community benefits

5. Present: Transit, MOD & Vehicles Barriers to Accessible Transportation Remain • Inaccessible architecture, modes, technology, income & attitudes Widening Gap – Complete Trip not yet Accessible • 98% of public buses are accessible, yet • Many bus stops, sidewalks, and transit stations are NOT accessible • Rural & suburban areas may not have access to transit or paratransit • Access has been an afterthought for new modes & services (eg, Transportation Network Companies aka Ridehailing, Carshare, Bikeshare, Scooters, MaaS) • Passenger vehicle accessibility extremely limited & expensive

6. Future Mobility: The AV Promise Potential to Dramatically Improve Mobility & Safety for • People with limited access to accessible vehicles or services, or who are currently unable to drive or obtain a license • Blind and low vision, Deaf and hard of hearing communities; Intellectual, developmental and cognitive disability communities; People with physical disabilities, including wheelchair users; People with neurological conditions including seizure disorders Provide Access to • Employment, education, community and civic participation, voting, shopping, spending time with friends, running ordinary errands for family, transportation in the event of an emergency or evacuation

7. AV Access & Equity Needs Universal Design & Full Accessibility • Human Machine Interface (communication, symbols, vehicle location…) • Vehicle Hardware (including securement, ramps) • Policies • Anti-discriminatory licensing and insurance • Accessible AV crashworthiness & occupant safety standards • Safety for all pedestrians: wheelchair users, bicyclists, people of color • Funding for travel training Equity Policies • Transit, city & state access to data for mobility and congestion planning • Access for low income and underserved communities • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and ADA compliance • Workforce transition plans

8. AVs in Shared Mobility & Transit Public Transit will likely incorporate AVs • Low Speed Shuttles and Buses • Autonomous Passenger Vehicle Fleets • Accessible vehicle designs at the outset are key USDOT Encouraging Innovation, Transit & On-Demand Partnerships • 2019 ADS Demo & Integrated Mobility Innovation Grants • Funding AV passenger, shuttle and bus research and testing • Equity, accessibility, traveler-centric services highlighted

9. Opportunities to Advance Access Transit agencies, DOTs, MPOs, Elected Officials • Adopt equity principles, performance measures; Meet needs • Improve access across all modes, including PROW & infrastructure • Incentivize & fund full accessibility, eg deployment exemptions OEMs, AV Operators • Listen to, meet with disability and underserved communities • Prioritize and commit to access & equity. Lead • Develop best practice standards. Work with, learn from US Access Board, SAE, US DOJ

10. Opportunities to Reimagine Mobility Today OEMs, Advocates, Government Reps, Industry Allies … • To uphold the promise we need to work together • Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and speak honestly • Share dreams, concerns, perceived barriers, and needs • Identify how we can support each other • Actively listen • Bring your expertise, institutional knowledge, daily experience, and your imagination to the discussions

11. Equitable Mobility is Possible We are in a moment of reimagining mobility. Anything is possible. We need to hold each other and ourselves accountable to principles of justice and equity. Thank You Contact: ctyson@dredf.org (202) 878-9186