Automated Vehicles

AV Test Initiative Tracking Tool Goes Public

November 13, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

An online tracking tool created for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) Initiative has been released.

The initiative was unveiled during a two-day virtual panel discussion, which was the third in a series of online events focusing on AV TEST. The pilot program aims to develop a higher level of publicly-displayed automated vehicle testing and development information.

The virtual event was kicked off by Secretary Elaine Chao of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and included congressional remarks by Senator John Thune of South Dakota, a demonstration of the tracking tool by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Chief Safety Scientist Joseph Kolly, and discussions by panelists like NHTSA Director of Safety Programs, John Marshall and Uber’s director SDV safety standards, Chris Mullen.

The interactive map tool has been made public and offers information related to an array of AV driving system testing activities throughout the United States. Users can use the tool to see current testing locations and find information on all companies testing vehicles on American roads.

Those on the platform are also able to see new legislation and current policies in relation to each state’s approach to autonomous vehicle testing via voluntarily-shared data released by both government agencies and private groups.

The initiative, launched in June, “brings the department together with states, local governments, and private sector stakeholders,” said Chao at the time of program unveiling. “[The tool] unlocks valuable information for state and local governments overseeing testing. It encourages developers to exercise better, safer practices, and it provides clarity on AV testing for communities all across the country.”

According to James Owens, Deputy Administrator for NHTSA, AV TEST has been open to all stakeholders supporting the safe testing of AV technology. Participants can include manufacturers, owner-operators, highway safety offices, city government agencies, and departments of transportation.

The overall goal for this new platform is to boost transparency in relation to AV technology information and to bring further interaction regarding these innovations to the public, industry experts, and government leaders.

The initiative will also work to educate the public about all aspects of automated technology and its testing, and those working toward AV development and implementation are invited to bring their information to the platform in order to help educate people and avoid any misconceptions about these efforts.

“These systems have the promise to help prevent fatal crashes, save lives, and reduce crash severity,” said Owens. “Public trust will be the key to their adoption.”

Participating states include Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah. Companies involved with the initiative are Beep, Cruise, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Local Motors, Navya, Nuro, Toyota, Uber, and Waymo.

Nicole Nason, Federal Highway Administrator, explained that AV tech will bring freight movement improvements, and that the Federal Highway Administration has released safety and operation policy initiatives regarding vehicle automation.

House Committee on Energy and Commerce member, Representative Fred Upton (R-Michigan), supports the new platform and said this technology is incredibly important, as 94% of all traffic accidents occur due to human error, such as incidents involving distracted, fatigued, or impaired driving.

“These are real truck drivers hauling real freight,” said Nason. “This will help us improve efficiency. [It is] now more important than ever to exchange information with our stakeholders.”

The Department of Transportation released AV 4.0, its latest autonomous AV tech guideline update, in January of this year, to work toward unifying automated vehicle technology principles throughout 38 different agencies and executive offices. “Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies,” as it was named, aims to guide state and local government agencies, industry representatives, and tech experts in all aspects of these innovations.

Av 4.0, which expands upon 2018’s AV 3.0, works to boost the overall growth of this particular technology and the collaborative opportunities that come with it.

“We’ve been pleased by the tremendous interest we’ve received,” said Owens. “We’ve been blown away. As more stakeholders participate and as more data is collected, the web tool will become more and more robust.”

At the unveiling, experts explained that AV tech has the potential to massively improve road safety as well as increase mobility options for anyone facing certain challenges with transport, including the disabled and the elderly.

Automated Truck Corridor Funded Thanks to Indiana and Ohio DOT Efforts

August 24, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

A federal grant of $4.4 million has been given to a team including the departments of transportation from Indiana and Ohio for their efforts in building an automated truck corridor along Interstate 70, which runs between Indianapolis and Columbus.

This award is one of 10 given by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration through its Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment program, and will be part of $45 million in state-matching funds.

This particular project is meant to bring easier routes to truck automation vendors and freight companies to deploy their automated vehicle technology in regular revenue service across the interstate.

“Ohio’s I-70 Truck Automation Corridor project represents a model for other states in promoting technologies that will make freight transport and America’s economy more efficient,” said Nicole Nason, FHWA Administrator.

The ATCMTD grant program will fund beginning technology developments that aim to bring overall improvement to large transportation systems.

“As self-driving technology matures, it is important that everyone has a seat at the table,” said DriveOhio interim executive director, Patrick Smith. DriveOhio is a state government group helping to coordinate this project. “With the coalition of public, private, and research institutions that we have built, we’re confident this project will provide valuable insights to [the U.S. Department of Transportation] and [to the] industry as we develop smart logistics policies, procedures, and technology standards that will be shared across the nation.”

DriveOhio has also been urging Plus.ai, a self-driving truck company, to expand its in-state testing after previously conducting AV testing in Ohio.

“Connected and autonomous driving technology is revolutionizing how we move people and products across our country,” said Joe McGuinness, INDOT Commissioner. “Indiana and Ohio are proud to partner with U.S. DOT to lead in the deployment of technology in a multi-state highway corridor that will guide the future of automated driving and freight movement.”

DriveOhio’s managing director of communications, Luke Stedke, said the corridor project will have three different deployments: truck platooning, SAE Level 2, and SAE Level 4. This tiered approach will take place over a four-year span, with driving automation categorized on a scale between levels 0 and 5. Level 5 will mean the vehicle has reached complete driving automation capability.

“We want to make sure that it’s safe, but we also want to make sure that we’re trying to move the ball forward and mature the technology,” said Stedke.

In addition to DriveOhio, the project team also includes the Transportation Research Center, an independent facility out of Easy Liberty, Ohio that conducts research and progresses vehicle development and testing. TRC will provide professional driver training for host fleets as well as an automation audit of the corridor, according to DriveOhio.

“During public road testing, a professional driver will be at the wheel always should human intervention be needed,” DriveOhio explained. “The project data gathered will be shared with USDOT to inform the development of policies and procedures to be scaled across the United States.”

According to Stedke, the purpose of the automation audit will be to assess striping and pavement conditions in order to find what areas of I-70 need immediate improvements.

INDOT also says both Indiana and Ohio are vital for freight operations. Both states are within a day’s drive of 60% of American and Canadian populations.

Stedke also said this project will help everyone involved to get the word out about automated technology on a mass scale.

“It’s a chance for us as DriveOhio and the Ohio Department of Transportation to start the conversation about what the public should expect when it comes to freight,” said Stedke. “Both for the states of Ohio and Indiana, freight is a big driver of our economic activity. We want to make sure that we’re being clear when we articulate with citizens of Ohio and Indiana what to expect.”

From the grant’s funding, Florida was the largest recipient, receiving $10 million for its Regional Advanced Mobility Elements project on Interstate 4. The project, nicknamed I-4 FRAME, will utilize “next-generation” traffic management and vehicle-to-infrastructure tech, so that drivers can receive real-time traffic, intersection signal timing, and weather-related messages.

“The program selections this year aim to benefit communities across the country by improving safety and efficiency on our roads through the deployment of advanced technologies,” said FHWA’s Nason.

AV Testing Data to be Shared Publicly by DOT Though New Transparency Program

August 21, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

A new program launched by the U.S. The Department of Transportation aims to improve transparency to the public and inform more people about current automated vehicle technology.

During a webinar event last month, leaders within the DOT introduced the Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) initiative. This effort will work toward heightening engagement among the public, industry representatives, and government leaders. It will also bring stronger transparency through “an online, public-facing platform for sharing automated driving system on-road testing activities.”

It’s the most accessible platform of its kind for these tests, said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. “Through this initiative, the department is creating a formal platform for federal, state, and local governments and industry stakeholders,” she explained.

During a time where automated vehicle technology has been at the forefront of industry innovations for a while now, many Americans have expressed skepticism in terms of this technology’s safety. The NHTSA is planning “online mapping tools” that will show activity data and testing locations, which will hopefully improve overall public awareness and trust in these inventive efforts.

James Owens, Deputy NHTSA Administrator, said that boosting transparency “encourages everybody to up their game to help better ensure that the testing is done in a manner fully consistent with safety.” Owens also explained that AV TEST will be open to all stakeholders who are involved in safe testing of automated trucking systems. These participants include Toyota Motor Corp., Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Uber Technologies Inc., Cruise (General Motors Co.’s self-driving subsidiary), and Waymo, as well as the states of California, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

These efforts will serve as a huge tool in educating the public about all factors of this automated technology, as well as information about the stakeholders participating in its progress. Currently, because there are so many misconceptions and fears around these kinds of vehicles, Owens says this kind of candid information is most important.

“These systems have the promise to help prevent fatal crashes, save lives, and reduce crash severity,” he said. “Public trust will be the key to their adoption.”

Owens also explained that the goal of NHTSA is to “pull together really critical stakeholders to deepen the lines of communication and cooperation among all of us,” and that this was “an opportunity for the states to start sharing information among themselves.”

Critics of current AV system regulations want NHTSA to mandate federal safety standards for all automated driving technology.

In its investigation of a pedestrian death involved in an Uber AV test vehicle crash, the National Transportation Safety Board said that the NHTSA needed to create self-driving vehicle safety assessments that are mandated and that properly ensure AV vehicles have the necessary safeguards in place.

According to Owens, NHTSA “will not hesitate” to intervene if vehicles are being tested unsafely, although the agency has not yet adopted the recommendations set forth by the NTSB.

AV 4.0, DOT’s latest federal update of AV tech guidelines, was released in January, and is called “Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies.” The update aims to be a set of principles to unify a collective of 38 federal departments, agencies, executive offices, and commissions. It will also provide guidance to local and state government agencies, industry representatives, and technology efforts.

Administration actions have pushed forward AV technology growth, government collaboration efforts, and American AV tech principles that have worked together in a collaborative mindset to structure these new guidelines. AV 4.0 is meant to help the industry work towards a safety-centered, innovative, and consistent approach to the regulation of self-driving technology.

“We’ll make it available for you to view,” said the NHTSA on its website, referring to the new platform for public observation of AV tech efforts. “You’ll be able to see if testing has been reported in your community and learn more about the types of activities happening, including testing of various types of motor vehicles–cars, low-speed shuttles, trucks, and driverless electric delivery vehicles.”

The agency explains that the possibilities around safer roads are growing quickly with these innovations: “The continuing evolution of automotive technology aims to deliver even greater safety benefits and automated driving systems that–one day–can handle the whole task of driving when we don’t want to or can’t do it ourselves. The AV TEST Initiative is another way that NHTSA is convening and facilitating initiatives with stakeholders to support the safe development, testing, and integration of automated vehicle technologies in the United States.”

$8 Million Granted in Roadway Safety Efforts, Including ND’s Autonomous Crash Truck

March 15, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Commuters are already moving about before dawn on the streets of Washington DC United States Capital City

The state departments of transportation and local governments of 10 different states are receiving part of the Federal Highway Administration’s $8 million in grants for Accelerated Innovation Deployment or AID demonstration programs, as announced January 21st.

These grants will work to accelerate the implementation of new transportation technology, improve traffic management, speed up completion times for bridge projects, and improve overall roadway safety in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and North Dakota.

“These funds will help support our state and local partners across the country in their efforts to deliver more resilient roads, bridges, and highways for the traveling public,” said FHWA administrator, Nicole Nason.

One of these efforts is that of North Dakota, which received $241,687 for its autonomous crash attenuator truck.

A crash attenuator itself is a tool used to lessen crash impact, and is often installed at the end of a guardrail. An attenuator truck, or a “crash truck,” is typically positioned at the ends of work zones to help protect workers from collisions.

“[The attenuator] dampens or deflects that vehicle that’s coming into the work zone,” NDDOT engineer Travis Lutman said. “This is a big box, essentially, that is meant to deflect or absorb the impact of a crash so it doesn’t enter the work zone and hurt anybody.”

As of now, NDDOT uses an attenuator-mounted truck which must be operated by a driver. According to Lutman, the FHWA will be used for new autonomous vehicle tech in order to create a system allowing a driver-operated lead vehicle to communicate easily with an autonomous follower vehicle.

This attenuator-equipped follower vehicle would not need a driver in a work zone, but a human operator would need to aid in transporting the vehicle to and from the zone itself. Lutman said the autonomous attenuator truck would be useful in tasks like crack sealing, lane striping, and bridge cleaning.

The overarching goal of this new system is to increase safety around work zones, especially for the operator of current crash trucks.

“We want to get him or her out of that vehicle, creating a safe work environment for them,” said Lutman.

He also explained that Fargo will be the first city to implement the technology as efforts move forward between North Dakota and Minnesota.

Additionally, in Florida, the Florida Department of Transportation and the City of Orlando are using their joint $1 million AID grant for a segment of a larger project aiming to better manage traffic flows around downtown Orlando–which will specifically seek to improve “traffic signalization” at roadway intersections throughout the downtown area.

In New York, the state Department of Transportation will work to improve traffic incident management with its $740,000.

With $1 million, the Alabama Department of Transportation and Baldwin County will accelerate bridge construction and next beam ultra-high-performance concrete retrofit in an effort to shorten construction time from 14 weeks to six weeks.

Arkansas will use $313,600 for 3D modeling and paperless construction to enhance Global Navigation Satellite System technology throughout engineering and construction project phases.

Colorado’s DOT will use its $800,000 for Snowplow Signal Priority, allowing prioritized treatment for snowplows at traffic lights in order to help traffic flow more easily during snow removal.

In Iowa, the DOT and the city of Dubuque will develop a next-generation traffic control system in order to link 11 different corridors and act as one large integrated system. The state was given nearly $1 million for the project.

The Minnesota DOT will use another $1 million to improve safety and access along Broadway Avenue in Winona. In Michigan, the Department of Transportation will use $1 million to accelerate bridge construction and employ Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES) to decrease traffic delays, currently caused by the construction of its 2nd Avenue Network Arch Superstructure project.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will also use $1 million to implement compacted concrete pavement to improve the surface of Jerseyville’s Hollow Avenue. This concrete differs from standard roller compacted concrete with its high-density asphalt-type paver instead of standard paving. Compacted concrete pavement has a similar surface finish to standard pavement, but will use a tamper screed on its high-density paver. This will compact the road’s surface without the need for roller compaction.

“The grants being awarded today will help advance innovative transportation solutions to improve safety and mobility on America’s roadways,” said FHWA’s Nason.

ATRI Says DOT’s AV Regulation Needs Boosting

February 2, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Finger pressing a push button to start a self-driving car. Composite image between a hand photography and a 3D background.

Less than a week after the Department of Transportation released its updated autonomous vehicle technology guidelines–AV 4.0–the American Transportation Research Institute has published new research highlighting a need to implement an actual comprehensive policy for AV tech in the trucking industry.

The research is titled “Redefining the Role of Government Activities in Automated Trucking” and outlines the government’s lack of structure regarding the industry’s application of autonomous driving technologies, even with AV 4.0 in place.

DOT’s update aims to redefine regulations regarding all self-driving tech and to find legislative needs that will allow for an easy transition of more autonomous vehicles entering the roadways. AV 4.0 has three underlying focuses–prioritizing safety, promoting innovation, and ensuring consistent regulation.

Currently, the guidelines consist of a set of principles that would reach 38 different federal departments and agencies. DOT says it will specify steps that both state and local governments can take to further AV development.

DOT also says AV 4.0 will push for country-wide guidelines as opposed to “voluntary guidance.” However, how exactly that will take place has yet to be explained.

ATRI finds that with so many state and federal statutes being drafted in order to create substantial rules, country-wide autonomous truck regulation will be difficult.

Congress has not yet enacted a federal law governing AV tech development for trucks. As of now, 37 states in addition to the District of Columbia have issued either executive orders or new legislation regarding AV technology: eight states only authorize testing, 11 states and D.C. allow full deployment, and many other cities are planning to implement their own AV regulations.

“Our industry needs states to collaborate on seamless policies and regulations,” said ATA’s Automated Truck Subcommittee Chair, Jeff Reed. “We need more proactive federal guidance on [autonomous truck] development. Government activities at all levels must be dynamic enough to address the constantly evolving technology landscape.”

ATRI’s analysis pushes the Department of Transportation to create legislation clearly defining AV practices for states and municipalities. With at least 50 cities running or planning AV technology pilot tech–heavily focusing on passenger vehicle operations–the DOT has still been hands-off.

The agency also assesses that real-world implementation of AVs will be nearly impossible if rules call for constant control of vehicles by both drivers and onboard engineers. Additionally, DOT’s plans will create further difficulties when drivers begin applying for licenses with autonomous vehicle exemption because testing requirements will vary from state to state, although endorsement is established on a federal level.

“Right now, I don’t believe that we have a solution in place,” said Dan Murray, Senior Vice President of ATRI. “I don’t believe we have the blueprint we need in place, even with the latest U.S. DOT action.”

Because of this, ATRI’s analysis calls the guidelines an “incomplete patchwork” of state regulations, which could hurt the overall development of the technology throughout the trucking industry.

The research also explains that the tech could possibly only come to regular use at a regional level, as it would pigeonhole the potential for establishing autonomous driving into local operations “in locations with favorable regulatory frameworks.”

It also stresses that working with multiple regulations of the same technology would be difficult for many truckers.

According to Murray, the progression of self-driving innovations will become increasingly challenging for the trucking industry if its employees have to make various adjustments when traveling between different states.

“We don’t want the tail wagging the dog when it comes to any aspect of interstate commerce and trucking,” he said.

Autonomous technology viability is clearly almost impossible to sustain right now–a common standard is vital. Although states should ensure safety, federal officials are needed in order to help avoid policies that would delay testing or deployment of these technologies, which may be able to improve safety across the entire industry.

ATRI’s research shows that a standardized framework would allow public confidence to grow regarding self-driving vehicles. Law enforcement would more easily be able to perform inspections on these vehicles–and technicians would be able to perform regular maintenance on them–with technical standards in place.

“It has to come from [the national level],” said Murray. “Local jurisdictions, by definition, don’t have the big picture. We really need the U.S. DOT to come in full-bore and provide not just guidance, but possibly regulations, national policy, and maybe even tie funding to it.”

DOT Updates Driverless Car Guidelines

January 31, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

More self-driving cars and trucks will be taking to American highways throughout 2020 and beyond–and it looks like the U.S. Department of Transportation is working to ensure this momentum continues.

Elaine Chao, U.S. Secretary of Transportation announced the guidelines of U.S. DOT’s newly released AV 4.0, an updated policy regarding autonomous vehicle technology, on January 8th at CES 2020 in Las Vegas.

The guidelines are titled “Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies,” and Chao explained that AV tech can include everything from automated brakes to lane-departure warning systems to adaptive cruise control.

The department’s goal is to continue development of these innovations while still focusing on safety. AV 4.0 has three underlying principles–prioritizing safety, promoting innovation, and ensuring consistent regulation.

“Safety is always Number One at the U.S. Department of Transportation,” Chao said. However, a Department of Transportation commitment is “remaining technology-neutral” as well as “protecting American innovation and creativity.”

AV 4.0 will consist of a set of regulations and principles throughout 38 different federal departments, agencies, and offices around the country. It will aim to specify particular steps which state and local government agencies and technology experts can take to further the development and implementation of driverless vehicles.

“The federal government is all in for safer, better, and more inclusive transportation aided by automated driving systems,” according to Chao.

This is one of the first big pushes for country-wide guidelines, as annual guidelines since 2016 have been called for regulation along the lines of “voluntary guidance.” Although the federal government does set the safety standards for AVs, states control their own licensing. For example, the Department of Motor Vehicles in California has its had its own regulations regarding insurance as well as how safety officials should be informed of driverless vehicles deployed in the area.

Now, Automated Vehicles 4.0 will be the first system of federal oversight.

Its guidelines also align with the Trump administration’s support of AV tech and possibilities for collaboration–like research resources and federal AV sector investments.

“We quickly realized that the autonomous vehicle question is not one that is housed solely at the Department of Transportation,” said Michael Kratsios, U.S. Chief Technology Officer. “You have a federal government which has come together and said, ‘We want the U.S. to lead in this domain.’”

Although AV technology has been progressing more slowly than expected, the innovation is still moving forward. Google’s driverless car offshoot, Waymo, currently operates in Phoenix as a commercial robotaxi service and also offers driverless rides on Silicon Valley public roads (to employees and guests only).

Additionally, Florida tech companies Beep and Voyage are testing driverless shuttles in retirement communities, and Ford is currently experimenting with a robotaxi service in Miami. In Arizona and Florida, Waymo, TuSimple, and Starsky Robotics are operating automated driving trucks on public highways.

Chao believes AV 4.0 is an inevitable step in traffic safety’s future. She explained that driverless vehicles will be able to improve overall road safety while also reducing traffic congestion and giving more options of mobility for those currently facing transportation setbacks.

“Transportation today is synonymous with innovation,” she said, “and transportation is going to be as instrumental in America’s future as it has been since our nation’s founding. We are preparing for the transportation of the nation’s future.”

However, there are reasons for AV development delays–multiple driverless vehicle-related accidents, such as the incident involving a pedestrian on a highway who was hit and killed by an automated Uber car in 2018. Still, AV manufacturers say they are working to be as responsible and efficient as possible.

These guidelines will focus solely on the development of driverless cars, not on vehicles with some automated capabilities that still require a human driver’s presence and attention, such as ‘Level 2’ automation which includes driver-assist options, like Tesla’s Autopilot and Cadillac’s SuperCruise.

PAVE, a driverless vehicle industry and consumer coalition, was formed in 2019 in order to educate both policymakers and the public on this technology as well as to address any safety concerns.

“Realizing the vast potential of AVs will require collaboration and information sharing, among all institutions involved, said Chao.