Blog: Autonomous Vehicle Industry Unveils TRUST Principles

By Jeff Farrah, Chief Executive Officer of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association

The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the TRUST Principles to advance the safe operation of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in communities across America. In releasing these principles, AVIA is also launching new initiatives to reinforce the technology’s safety. AVs are a generational opportunity to increase road safety, expand accessibility, and address supply chain challenges.

With today’s announcement, the AV industry is sending a message: we believe that public trust in autonomous vehicles is essential to their acceptance and that the AV industry must earn and maintain that trust. The industry recognizes it has important work to do and we are committed to explaining the technology, answering questions, and engaging in dialogue.

AVIA’s TRUST Principles have five elements:

Transparent interactions with government officials and the public

Responsible integration of AVs into communities and deep engagement with law enforcement and first responders

Upholding the highest cybersecurity and privacy standards 

Safety-first culture and governance

Transportation policies that will increase safety and public trust of AVs

Each of the elements contains principles and announces new initiatives to move the public discussion forward and to position stakeholders for success in the future. These principles are fleshed out in greater detail here.

I am proud to lead AVIA, and in this capacity, I have had the privilege to meet many individuals in the industry. In conversations with CEOs, engineers, fleet technicians, law enforcement engagement officials, and beyond, I continue to be struck by the incredible dedication to safety and public trust across the autonomous vehicle industry. The need to share that vision was one of the driving forces behind AVIA’s work on the TRUST Principles. 

In the coming months, AVIA looks forward to taking additional actions on these principles, but we cannot do it alone. We need partners who recognize the tremendous benefits of AVs – industry, government, safety advocates, stakeholders – to come together to forge a path forward.