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A trade group wants to create a pathway for self-driving vehicles from Canada, through North Dakota and other states south to Mexico.

One of the issues with the middle part of the U.S. is the lack of north-south avenues to move commerce, said Marlo Anderson of the Central North American Trade Corridor Association. Rail and major roads move east to west.

“The challenge is to find ways to better utilize our north-south routes,” he said.

The association is starting an initiative to develop regulations for driverless vehicles, whether on the ground or in the air. It will discuss the initiative Wednesday and Thursday at the Trade & Transportation Summit in Bismarck.

The corridor would allow someone to program a vehicle in Texas to deliver goods to Minot.

Anderson said BMW and Audi already make unmanned vehicles and the car makers are supportive of the association’s efforts.

“It’s a proven but still emerging technology,” said Bill Davis of the association. “In the first step of this project, we’re trying to create interest and awareness ... The more effective we can be with transport, the more competitive we can be economically.”