Yeah, I think we're on the same page - my immediate reaction to "we need massive government intervention to do X" is to disregard whatever follows. Which does not leave much if anything interesting left in this report. I think it's interesting that even with something like AVs, which just for their safety benefits alone can bring a tremendous positive influence, I am still pessimistic about big changes coming top-down. What I'm hoping is that some serious disruption will wake people (/policymakers) up, and I would put my money on 'AV trucks' to fit that role.
There were a couple things in there that would be easy and painless - "night delivery zones" doesn't seem crazy controversial. And I can see trunk-slammer outfits pitching the AV lane the way they pitch traffic cameras and toll carpool lanes: "give us the goahead, we'll do all the investing and give you a cut." The basic issue, as I see it, is that for now, AVs are "isn't this cool? of COURSE we'll do it!" instead of "who is going to pay for this and why?" I can see a reason for municipalities, auto makers and software companies to agree on a standard that will allow anything compatible to swarm. Maybe this is a first step.