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10-year plan will facilitate pilot programmes to test connected vehicle systems.
The U.S. government this week pledged to spend US$4 billion over the next decade to fund the development of self-driving cars.
"We are on the cusp of a new era in automotive technology with enormous potential to save lives, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transform mobility for the American people," said transport secretary Anthony Foxx, in a statement on Thursday.
Unveiled at the Detroit motor show, the plan will fund pilot programmes designed to test connected vehicle systems. Specific roads throughout the country will be designated for these tests.
"Today’s actions and those we will pursue in the coming months will provide the foundation and the path forward for manufacturers, state officials, and consumers to use new technologies and achieve their full safety potential," Foxx said.
The U.S. Department of Transport (DoT) also unveiled an updated policy statement on autonomous vehicles from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that reflects the reality that their deployment is now feasible.
Using this policy as a starting point, the NHTSA aims to develop within six months a set of guidelines for the safe deployment and operation of autonomous vehicles.
"We will work with state partners toward creating a consistent national policy on these innovations, provide options now and into the future for manufacturers seeking to deploy autonomous vehicles, and keep our safety mission paramount at every stage," said NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind.
