U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has anounced plan to allocate $4 billion in 10 years to help the development of self-driving car. The federal govenment considered autonomous vehicle is important factor to increase safety.

In his official announcement, Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx revealed a long term plan of 10 years with nearly $4 billion investment. The investment plan aimed to accelerate the development and adoption of vehicle automation through real-world pilot projects.

Secretary Foxx also announced that federal government also intended to remove all potential roadblocks in the technology. The federal government wanted to improve transportation safety by integrating innovative and transformational automotive technology.

Speaking at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the secretary further said, "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."

"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," he said regarding the plan.

One main reason of government decision to support autonomous vehicle development is the traffic safety. Federal govenment believed that self-driving car could improve road safety and eventually reducing and eliminating traffic accident. It can also decrease highway congestion and improve the environment.

Business Insider took note of the government plan to develop guidelines and model for state regulations in the next six months, which will be the responsibility of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Prior to develop the guideline, the agency will request assistance from stakeholders in autonomous car industry to learn the mandatory requirements needed to develop self-driving car.

Afterward, the NHTSA will work with multiple parties to create a model for fully autonomous vehicle policy. The policy model can be used as an archetype by all states for their self-driving car regulations. In order to do that, NHTSA will partner American Association of Motor Vehicle Administration, state representatives, and industry stakeholders

So far, according to WWMT News there are seven states and Washington D.C. allowing autonomous vehicle testing on their roads. Althought there is no actual prediction from federal government, Google and other in the autonomous car industries are confident by 2020 there will be autonomous vehicle roaming the public roads in big numbers.

WWMT News also reported from the North American International Auto Show that secretary Foxx also mentioned, "In 2016, we are going to do everything we can to promote safe, smart and sustainable vehicles. We are bullish on automated vehicles."

In announcing a 10-year plan to assist development of fully autonomous car, federal government believed it will lead to increase road safety and eliminating traffic accident.