NHTSA Proposes Cyan Lighting for Autonomous Vehicles to Indicate Self-Driving Mode

NHTSA Proposes New AV Lighting Standards

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has put forth a proposal for new lighting requirements specifically for autonomous vehicles (AVs). This initiative aims to create a clear visual indicator for the public regarding the operational status of these vehicles.

Cyan Lights for Autonomous Operation

Under the proposal, AVs would have the option to use cyan (blue-green) colored lights to signal when they are operating in autonomous mode without a human occupant actively monitoring the road. These lights would remain steadily illuminated and be visible from the front, rear, and both sides of the vehicle. The proposal does not mandate the use of these lights but suggests them as a standardized identifier.

Equipment Specifications and Regulatory Updates

The proposed regulations detail equipment specifications, including where the lights should be mounted, their emitted color, and activation methods. Additionally, the proposal would remove existing requirements for manually operated controls for turn signals, high beams, and hazard lights in AVs. This move is part of a larger effort by NHTSA to update federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) to accommodate the unique designs of autonomous vehicles, which often lack traditional controls like pedals and steering wheels.

Broader Regulatory Framework for AVs

NHTSA administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that this proposal is one component of a wider effort to update regulations that facilitate the adoption of AVs while ensuring safety. The agency is also developing a federal automated vehicle framework and revising FMVSS rules, which were not originally designed for vehicles such as the Tesla Cybercab and Zoox robotaxi.