Welcome to The On-Ramp, the newsletter published by Venable's Autonomous and Connected Mobility Team. The On-Ramp explores legal and policy developments in the world of autonomous and connected vehicles, smart infrastructure, electrification, and other emerging automotive and mobility technologies, from Capitol Hill to the U.S. Department of Transportation and beyond. In recent months, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Congress have continued to advance policies to shape the future of emerging transportation technologies, particularly in the autonomous vehicle (AV) space. The department is moving forward with efforts to update safety standards, advance rulemakings, and engage stakeholders on automated driving systems, while also supporting innovation across areas such as advanced air mobility and infrastructure. At the same time, lawmakers are actively examining a range of transportation technology issues, including AVs, vehicle safety, and national security, signaling ongoing interest in developing bipartisan frameworks to govern these technologies. U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) NHTSA Publishes Third Biannual Report to Congress on ADAS Research and Rulemaking On March 18, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published its third biannual report to Congress summarizing the agency's research and rulemaking activities on automated driving systems (ADS). The report describes several updates at the agency following its second biannual report published in July 2025. Specifically, the report highlights the confirmation of Jonathan Morrison as NHTSA administrator, the expansion of NHTSA's Automated Vehicle Exemption Program for domestic manufacturers, and the Safety Research Portfolio Public Meeting and ADS Workshop held in November 2025. The report also provides updates on research in categories related to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) compliance; system safety performance assessment; component and subsystem testing and functional safety; and crashworthiness and alternative cabin design. On the rulemaking side, the report discusses three rulemaking actions listed in the spring 2025 Unified Agenda of Regulatory