<html><head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
p.msonormal0, li.msonormal0, div.msonormal0
{mso-style-name:msonormal;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:#1F497D;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:720716232;
mso-list-template-ids:-716265554;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head><body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Greetings:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I am so pleased to see that the article was useful and helped facilitate some discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Just as a point of clarification on Daniel’s question and on Bill’s insightful comments:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">There are six levels of automation but they are classified on a scale from zero to five. This means that “Level 5” is, indeed, the highest level of automation currently contemplated. “Level 0” vehicles, on the
other end of the spectrum, contain virtually no automated or assistive features and represent what many people would recognize as standard passenger vehicles from 20 years ago or so.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Each intervening level between zero and five contains additional automated and assistive features, including things like cruise control, automatic lane adjustments, parking assistance, etc.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">As blind people we are primarily concerned with Level 4 and Level 5 automation. Level 4 vehicles, at least as we understand the technology at present, will consist of vehicles that can fully perform all dynamic
driving tasks within specifically bounded geographic areas. This bounding process is called “geo-fencing.” Think of AVs that operate in specific urban areas on a neighborhood or quadrant basis and in rural areas on certain clusters of roads and main thoroughfares.
These vehicles will not be able to operate autonomously outside of those specifically defined areas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Level 5 automation, which we should think of as the holy grail, refers to AVs that can perform the full range of dynamic driving tasks in all places and at all times. At present, most manufacturers and technology
companies are not developing Level 5 systems yet. As blind users, we will likely be taking our first rides in Level 4 vehicles and this will probably be the status quo for a few years at least.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Just for your convenience and reference, below is the automation taxonomy created by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International. SAE International is the authority on these matters and the below
is the current standard used by government and industry when referring to levels of automation in autonomous vehicles:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Level 0 – No Automation: The full-time performance by the human driver of all aspects of the dynamic driving task, even when enhanced by warning or intervention systems<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Level 1 – Driver Assistance: The driving mode-specific execution by a driver assistance system of either steering or acceleration/deceleration using information about the driving environment and
with the expectation that the human driver performs all remaining aspects of the dynamic driving task<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Level 2 – Partial Automation: The driving mode-specific execution by one or more driver assistance systems of both steering and acceleration/deceleration using information about the driving environment
and with the expectation that the human driver performs all remaining aspects of the dynamic driving task<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Level 3 – Conditional Automation: The driving mode-specific performance by an Automated Driving System of all aspects of the dynamic driving task with the expectation that the human driver will
respond appropriately to a request to intervene<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Level 4 – High Automation: The driving mode-specific performance by an Automated Driving System of all aspects of the dynamic driving task, even if a human driver does not respond appropriately
to a request to intervene <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Level 5 – Full Automation: The full-time performance by an Automated Driving System of all aspects of the dynamic driving task under all roadway and environmental conditions that can be managed
by a human driver<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Thanks all! I’ll continue to send things along and please keep the conversation going.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">~Dylan <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> AutonomousVehicles <autonomousvehicles-bounces@nfbnet.org>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Daniel Perry via AutonomousVehicles<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, June 9, 2018 6:58 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> meekerorgas@ameritech.net; autonomous Vehicles Discussion <autonomousvehicles@nfbnet.org><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Daniel Perry <karate@centurylink.net><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [AutonomousVehicles] A good article<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Yes. I agree with the level 6 catigory. Strange though, but I thought that's what level 5 autonomous cars did was control all aspects of driving in any condition like Google's Waymo. Waymo says their end goal
is to creat fully driverless vehicles. Does this mean level 6 machines? if so this is wonderful.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:whitesmoke"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">
<a href="mailto:autonomousvehicles@nfbnet.org" title="autonomousvehicles@nfbnet.org">
Cheryl Orgas & William Meeker via AutonomousVehicles</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:whitesmoke"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Sent:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"> Saturday, June 9, 2018 6:19 AM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:whitesmoke"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">To:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">
<a href="mailto:autonomousvehicles@nfbnet.org" title="autonomousvehicles@nfbnet.org">
'autonomous Vehicles Discussion'</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:whitesmoke"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Cc:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">
<a href="mailto:meekerorgas@ameritech.net" title="meekerorgas@ameritech.net">Cheryl Orgas & William Meeker</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:whitesmoke"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Subject:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"> Re: [AutonomousVehicles] A good article<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Good morning Dylan,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Very informative; thank you for sending the links, as I’m an autonomous vehicle issue tyro. The GAO articlegives me a most helpful overview of the development structure and a context from which to view the
autonomous vehicle issue. We, as potential blind drivers, would benefit most from level 6 implementation. The article implies that level 6 appears to be the last and lowest development priority of auto manufacturers, so the 2021 date gives us the opportunity
to develop our position as blind drivers and even to be a part of the development process.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">From the GAO publication:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">“The U.S. Department of Transportation, the lead federal agency for vehicle safety, has adopted a 6-level categorization of driving automation, ranging from zero assistance to a system that performs all the needed
tasks in all conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Vehicles with Level 1 and Level 2 automation—such as adaptive cruise control or lane departure assistance and automated parking—are already on the road. Automakers and technology firms are investing heavily
in developing Levels 3, 4, and 5 vehicles, which will perform with increasing autonomy. These vehicles are currently on public roads in test scenarios and some automakers plan to release cars that control all aspects of driving in certain conditions as early
as 2021.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Looking forward to more articles,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Bill Meeker<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"> AutonomousVehicles [<a href="mailto:autonomousvehicles-bounces@nfbnet.org">mailto:autonomousvehicles-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Hedtler-Gaudette, Dylan via AutonomousVehicles<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, June 08, 2018 8:58 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:AutonomousVehicles@nfbnet.org">AutonomousVehicles@nfbnet.org</a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Hedtler-Gaudette, Dylan<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [AutonomousVehicles] A good article<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hello all:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the start of summer.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If everyone thinks it would be useful, I thought I might start sending along relevant articles and resources for those interested in learning more about autonomous vehicles in general and in keeping up on the latest developments.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As an initial offering, please see the article below It is a short blog posted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that lays out some broad concepts and trends. It also links to a report that GAO put out earlier this year, which
I recommend to anyone looking to take a deeper dive into the subject matter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blog.gao.gov/2018/06/05/who-is-in-the-drivers-seat/?utm_campaign=usgao_email&utm_content=daybook&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery">https://blog.gao.gov/2018/06/05/who-is-in-the-drivers-seat/?utm_campaign=usgao_email&utm_content=daybook&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please let me know if you find this resource helpful and if you would like me to continue sending things along as I happen upon them.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks all! I look forward to seeing many of you at national convention in a few short weeks.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Best,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~Dylan <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Government Affairs Specialist<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(410) 659-9314, extension 2210 | <a href="mailto:DHedtler-Gaudette@nfb.org">
DHedtler-Gaudette@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style="color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="210" height="76" style="width:2.1875in;height:.7916in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D4015F.AF5919C0" alt="Image removed by sender. National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">
<span style="color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" style="width:.25in;height:.25in" id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D4015F.AF5919C0" alt="Image removed by sender. Facebook"></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style="color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" style="width:.25in;height:.25in" id="_x0000_i1027" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D4015F.AF5919C0" alt="Image removed by sender. Twitter"></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style="color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" style="width:.25in;height:.25in" id="_x0000_i1028" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D4015F.AF5919C0" alt="Image removed by sender. Youtube"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">_______________________________________________<br>
AutonomousVehicles mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:AutonomousVehicles@nfbnet.org">AutonomousVehicles@nfbnet.org</a><br>
<a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/autonomousvehicles_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/autonomousvehicles_nfbnet.org</a><br>
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for AutonomousVehicles:<br>
<a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/autonomousvehicles_nfbnet.org/karate@centurylink.net">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/autonomousvehicles_nfbnet.org/karate@centurylink.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</body></html>