NHTSA Proposes Cyan Lights to Identify Autonomous Vehicles

Drivers may start seeing cyan-colored lights along the nation’s roadways to alert motorists they are sharing the road with an autonomously operated vehicle.

The proposal would not mandate cyan-colored lights.

Jonathan Morrison, NHTSA administrator, said that the proposal is part of a larger push to accelerate autonomous vehicle adoption while maintaining safety.

The agency is working on a federal automated vehicle framework and updating federal motor vehicle safety standards, which already establish safety requirements for automakers.

The framework for traditional motor vehicles was not designed for autonomous vehicles, which may lack required equipment such as pedals and steering wheels.