Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on July 23 unveiled guidelines that technology innovators can follow to help them engage with the federal government as they develop new projects.

The policy document, titled “Pathways to the Future of Transportation,” is meant to help creators work with the Department of Transportation on efforts related to “cross-modal technologies.” For example, emerging transportation technology is reflected in initiatives such as nontraditional tunneling or hyperloop, a proposed transport system that involves sending pods through tunnels with low air pressure.

Chao made the announcement at a virtual meeting of DOT’s Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT) Council, which was established in 2019 as a way to resolve jurisdictional and regulatory gaps that may hinder the deployment of new technology…

The NETT Council serves as a single point of access where project sponsors can connect with DOT to discuss proposals. It is also meant to facilitate coordination of project oversight and development of departmentwide processes.
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