The National Summit on AV Leadership will convene key stakeholders from across the autonomous vehicle (AV) ecosystem—including Congressional leadership; industry leaders; federal, state, and local government officials; Capitol Hill staff; nonprofits; and leading academic experts—to discuss the path forward for advancing technology and policy development and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the US. The event will be held on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
Invented Here, Built Here, Available Everywhere: Securing U.S. Leadership in AVs
The program will include keynotes, invited presentations, panel discussions, and a technology showcase to foster consensus, cooperation and collaboration. The Summit will be held in the on Capitol Hill (details provided to registrants).
Main Program: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Reception & Technology Showcase: 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Registration is required.
The House AV Caucus Co-Chairs, Congressman Bob Latta (OH) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI), are honorary co-hosts of this Summit and will participate in the program with a fireside chat keynote. The National Summit on AV Leadership is hosted by Safety21, the USDOT National University Transportation Center for Promoting Safety. For questions please reach out to: Debra Tekavec (dtekavec@andrew.cmu.edu), Government Relations, Carnegie Mellon University or Karen Lightman (karenlightman@cmu.edu), Safety21 Executive Director. This is a widely attended event. You can view the list of registered attendees here.
Agenda
2:00 – 2:10 PM Opening and Welcome
Opening remarks will highlight the opportunity for U.S. leadership in autonomous vehicles—technology that was invented here in the U.S. decades ago. We will frame what’s at stake, the need for coordinated action, and the importance of addressing remaining technical challenges to ensure safe, reliable, and scalable AV deployment.
- Raj Rajkumar—Director, Safety21 U.S. DOT National University Transportation Center
2:10 – 2:25 PM Securing U.S. Leadership for AVs
This talk will highlight the critical steps needed to ensure continued U.S. leadership in AV technology. Set against the backdrop of the U.S. DOT’s newly released AV Framework, Halem will explore how policy, innovation, and collaboration can align to maintain America’s global competitiveness. Attendees will gain insight into the strategic priorities and coordinated efforts required to shape a safe/secure, innovative, and forward-looking AV future in the U.S.
- Michael Halem—Acting Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, U.S. Department of Transportation
2:25 – 2:55 PM Panel: Clearing the Road–Investment, Regulation & Policy Alignment
The U.S. is at a critical juncture in AV leadership. This panel will explore how federal and state governments can align policy, safety standards, and data-sharing to support innovation and create good jobs. Experts will discuss the U.S. DOT’s AV Framework, funding strategies—including appropriations and public-private models—and ways to streamline regulation. The panel will also highlight key technical challenges to safe and scalable AV deployment. Join these respected industry leaders to examine what’s needed to advance U.S. AV leadership.
- Laura Chace—President and CEO, Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America)
- Finch Fulton—Government Affairs Advisor, K&L Gates
- Zack Tatz—Senior Director of Government Affairs, Transport Workers Union of America (TWU)
- Ariel Wolf—Chair, Autonomous and Connected Mobility Law Practice, Venable LLP | General Counsel, Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association
- MODERATOR: Matt Furlow, Counsel, House Energy & Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
2:55 – 3:15 PM Panel: Building Trust & Safety
As AV technology evolves, cybersecurity, public trust, and a strong culture of safety are critical to successful deployment. This panel will bring together voices from government, industry, and the nonprofit sector to explore how to protect AV systems, build public acceptance, and prioritize safety at every stage. Panelists will discuss emerging risks, community engagement strategies, and how cross-sector collaboration can support safe and trusted AV adoption.
- Tara Andringa—Executive Director, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE)
- Lorraine Martin—President & CEO, National Safety Council
- C. Y. David Yang—President and Executive Director, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
- MODERATOR: Karen Lightman—Executive Director, Safety21 U.S. DOT National University Transportation Center
3:15 – 3:30 PM Break
3:30 – 4:00 PM AV Use Case Spotlight
In this lightning talk session, leaders from top U.S. AV companies will outline the critical needs for scaling AV technology. They will share key insights on the drivers of success, including regulatory support, infrastructure development, technology advancements, and safety. Additionally, presenters will showcase their cutting-edge technology, providing a firsthand look at the innovations shaping the future of transportation. This fast-paced discussion will highlight how cross-sector collaboration can accelerate the safe, widespread deployment of AVs.
- India Herdman—Senior Policy Advisor, Tesla
- David Quinalty—Head of Federal Policy & Govt. Affairs, Waymo
- Noah Zych—Global GM, Autonomous Mobility & Delivery, Uber
- Melissa Wade—Senior Director – Government Relations, Aurora
- Daisy Wall—Senior Director of Government Business and Policy, May Mobility
- MODERATOR: Raj Rajkumar—Director, Safety21 U.S. DOT National University Transportation Center
4:00 – 4:15 PM Fireside Chat with Congressional AV Caucus Co-Chairs
In this session, Congressional AV Caucus Co-Chairs will share why autonomous vehicles and the need for a national AV framework are vital to America’s economic future. The discussion will spotlight how U.S. leadership in AVs can strengthen supply chains, spark innovation, create good paying jobs and secure our position at the forefront of global technology—driving progress and opportunity across the country.
- Representative Bob Latta (OH-5)
- Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-6)
- MODERATOR: Shaz Umer—Director of Strategic Initiatives, U.S. Department of Transportation
4:15 – 4:45 PM Panel: AV Innovation and Testbeds
This panel will bring together leaders from local and state governments to discuss the challenges and opportunities in scaling AV technology through test tracks and regional pilots. Speakers will address how AVs are being tested across diverse terrains and weather conditions, and the unique hurdles these environments present. The discussion will focus on how collaboration at all levels can tackle regulatory, technical, research and operational challenges to ensure AVs are safe, reliable, and ready for widespread deployment.
- Darran Anderson—Director of Strategy and Innovation, Texas Department of Transportation
- Jason Bodell—Intelligent Transportation Systems and Signals Program Manager, Michigan Department of Transportation
- Tilly Chang—Executive Director, San Francisco County Transportation Authority
- Peter Castelli—Director, PennSTART
- MODERATOR: Henry Liu—Director of University Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Center for Connected and Automated Transportation (CCAT), University of Michigan
4:45 – 5:00 PM Closing Reflections & Call to Action
- Raj Rajkumar—Director, Safety21 U.S. DOT National University Transportation Center
5:00 – 5:30 PM Break (Set up for Reception)
5:30 – 7:00 PM Reception and Technology Showcase
Join us for networking, innovation, and collaboration, featuring a Technology Showcase that highlights the cutting-edge AV technology being researched, developed, and deployed across the nation. This is a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and see firsthand the advancements driving the future of transportation and ensuring U.S. leadership in AV technology.
