The U.S. Department of Transportation will launch a federal committee on self-driving cars that includes multiple notable technology executives, according to an announcement on Thursday. Via a statement, the group will regularly meet to discuss various aspects of automated technology and the Department of Transportation's role in setting policy. The committee, which includes leading professionals and experts in their field, will hold its first meeting on January 16th, 2017 to immediately begin work on some of the most pressing and relevant matters facing transportation today, including the development and deployment of automated vehicles, and determining the needs of the Department as it continues with its relevant research, policy, and regulations. The committee will be chaired by Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti and General Motors CEO Mary Barra. Other members include executives and staffers from companies such as Amazon, Lyft and Zipcar.