A Loophole Large Enough to Drive an Autonomous Vehicle Through: The ADA's 'New Van Provision' and the Future of Access to Transportation

Abstract

With Uber’s recent announcement that it will begin deploying self-driving vehicles in Pittsburgh, the days of autonomous taxis are now officially upon us. But alongside the emergence of this novel business model comes novel legal issues that must be addressed. This piece is the first to point out that an ambiguity in the Americans with Disabilities Act governing vehicular-accessibility requirements could have vast economic and moral implications for future transportation providers, as well as for millions of Americans with disabilities.

Keywords: Autonomous Vehicle, Vehicles, Car, Cars, Driverless, Self-Driving Taxi, Taxis, Uber, Lyft, ADA, Americans With Disabilities Act, Accessibility, Accessible, Wheelchair, Wheelchairs, Technology, Disabled