Most of the vehicles in test and trial mode appear to be categorized as "Automated vehicles". USDOT defines "Automated vehicles" as follows:
Automated vehicles are those in which at least some aspect of a safety-critical control function (e.g., steering, throttle, or braking) occurs without direct driver input. Automated vehicles may be autonomous (i.e., use only vehicle sensors) or may be connected (i.e., use communications systems such as connected vehicle technology, in which cars and roadside infrastructure communicate wirelessly). Connectivity is an important input to realizing the full potential benefits and broad-scale implementation of automated vehicles.
The U.S. Department of Transportation explains the current situation as follows:
Over the past several years, the USDOT and its operating administrations have engaged in numerous activities related to connected vehicles, including vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communications, collectively referred to as "V2X" communications. The automotive industry and municipalities are already deploying V2X technology and actively utilizing all seven channels of the 5.9 GHz band. There are more than 70 active deployments of V2X communications with thousands of vehicles already on the road. During this time, there have also been developments in core aspects of communications technologies that could further support V2X in addition to dedicated short-range communications, including Cellular-V2X (C-V2X), the development of potential "5G" communications or other future transportation safety technologies.
USDOT addresses "The Federal Government and Automation"
U.S. DOT’s role in transportation automation is to ensure the safety and mobility of the traveling public while fostering economic growth. As a steward of the Nation’s roadway transportation system, the Federal Government plays a significant role by ensuring that automated vehicles can be safely and effectively integrated into the existing transportation system, alongside conventional vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and other road users. U.S. DOT also has an interest in supporting innovations that improve safety, reduce congestion, improve mobility, and increase access to economic opportunity for all Americans. Finally, by partnering with industry in adopting market-driven, technology-neutral policies that encourage innovation in the transportation system, the Department seeks to fuel economic growth and support job creation and workforce development.
USDOT outlines "The Federal Role in Automation Research"
U.S. DOT has a limited and specific role in conducting research related to the integration of automation into the Nation’s surface transportation system. U.S. DOT’s research focuses on three key areas:
- Removing barriers to innovation
- Evaluating impacts of technology, particularly with regard to safety.
- Addressing market failures and other compelling public needs.
USDOT Role in Key Cross-Cutting Policy Issues
USDOT explains "Cooperative Automation and Connectivity"
Connectivity enables communication among vehicles, the infrastructure, and other road users. Communication both between vehicles (V2V) and with the surrounding environment (V2X) is an important complementary technology that is expected to enhance the benefits of automation at all levels, but should not be and realistically cannot be a precondition to the deployment of automated vehicles.
Throughout the Nation there are over 70 active deployments of V2X communications utilizing the 5.9 GHz band. U.S. DOT currently estimates that by the end of 2018, over 18,000 vehicles will be deployed with aftermarket V2X communications devices and over 1,000 infrastructure V2X devices will be installed at the roadside. Furthermore, all seven channels in the 5.9 GHz band are actively utilized in these deployments.
USDOT outlines "The Potential of Automation Research Progress and Insights"
Automated vehicles have the potential to bring about transformative safety, mobility, energy, and environmental benefits to our nation’s surface transportation system. These benefits could include crash avoidance, reduced energy consumption and vehicle emissions, reduced travel times, improved travel time reliability and multi-modal connectivity, and improved transportation system efficiency and accessibility, particularly for persons with disabilities and the growing aging population. The pace of research, development, and commercialization of automation technologies has increased rapidly in recent years. While technologies available today require a human driver to monitor the roadway and be prepared to take control, research into the development of fully self-driving vehicles is underway.
Read the report:
Automated Vehicles 3.0
Preparing for the Future of Transportation
Press HERE
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...vehicle-30.pdf
See another example of Connected Vehicles
View U.S. Department of Transportation's Request for Comments
Credit: U.S. Department of Transportation
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