It's not neglected, it's just it's basically step zero. Figuring out where the car is in the road is so far down the list of problems a self-driving car needs t

It's not neglected, it's just it's basically step zero. Figuring out where the car is in the road is so far down the list of problems a self-driving car needs to solve that if you can't solve it without external aid there's no hope whatsoever you're going to solve the rest of it (like where everything else on the road is and what it's going to do next, unless your plan is everyone who goes out for a walk needs to wear a transponder and indicate as well). What automonous car companies want from the DOT is clearer signage and road markings, and as an added bonus, this also makes human drivers safer as well (but it's not sexy tech, so it tends not to happen).