S E V E N TASK FORCE WORK & GOALS Compelled by enhancing safety across the board, the task force is on a mission to balance innovation and public safety. Their work has encouraged an increase in the development and testing of autonomous vehicles within Pennsylvania. “Testing must be made in a graduated process so we don’t get ahead of ourselves,” says Myers. “Every one of the various topographical inconsistencies make a difference as far as testing. Whether it’s a tunnel, hill, or bridge, they all impact testing. The weather and various seasons also influence testing and are environments that need to be explored. Traveling through sunny Arizona in January can be very different from driving through Pennsylvania during that same time.” In addition to considering all the environmental factors, work zones are another test setting on the minds of the task force. Encountering a work zone is a challenge for the everyday drivertonavigatebecauseit’soutofthenorm,soautonomous driving technology must also account for the same situation. Therefore, this technology must be able to perform well in a variety of testing situations, including all types of road construction. Per Cohen and Myers, a commitment to all aspects of safety is their most critical policy focus while they support the overall growth and success of autonomous vehicles. “Particularly with autonomous vehicles, it’s important we continue to invest in the state of good infrastructure,” says Cohen. “A well-maintained infrastructure is a necessary safety requirement for both human and nonhuman drivers. Work zones are a part of improving our infrastructure and ensuring it’s in prime condition for all vehicles. When it comes to autonomous vehicles especially, they rely heavily on a well-maintained infrastructure to operate optimally. It all comes back to safety — testing all these various conditions and safeguarding the traveling public leads to safer environments.” Connected vehicles are already playing a key role in data collection and analysis in the transportation sector. DOTs, private industry, and other stakeholders are benefiting from better information about road conditions, traffic movement, and much more, made possible by the growing capabilities of connected technologies. For these technologies to keep evolving, the communication infrastructure (e.g., Wi-Fi and other types of telemetry) must also be improved along roadways. Fast and reliable data transmission goes hand in hand with autonomous vehicle development and, ultimately, safer infrastructures. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE The operational advantages of both connected and autonomous vehicles are significant. And though the launch date of fully autonomous vehicles is unknown, the momentum behind this movement is progressing daily and is undeniably contagious. The Pennsylvania Autonomous Vehicle Policy Task Force will continue testing and formulating policies around this technology to ensure we’re all ready for the possibilities autonomous vehicles bring to the table. The opportunities of capturing immediate data are endless, and being able to utilize our findings will improve public safety and keep those communities moving. SOCIETAL BENEFITS OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES During a public meeting with the task force in December 2016, Secretary Richards reviewed some of the societal benefits that autonomous vehicles bring to Pennsylvania: • SAFETY Last year, 95% of the fatalities that occurred on Pennsylvania roadways resulted from human error. With autonomous vehicles, this statistic will drop significantly. • MOBILITY Autonomous vehicles will greatly improve the quality of life for those who struggle with mobility. • INFRASTRUCTURE Infrastructure design will be advanced by the new technology autonomous vehicles bring to roadways. • ENVIRONMENTAL Autonomous vehicles will help motorists save on fuel consumption and fuel emissions. • ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY Autonomous technology research opportunities create the need for more jobs in Pennsylvania. Being at the forefront of this technology also opens the door to more robust technology companies settling in the state. For more information on Secretary Richards’s point of view on how autonomous vehicles will help shape Pennsylvania’s future, additional thoughts from the task force, and to review questions and comments from this public meeting, visit PennDOT.gov. Source: PennDOT.gov—Autonomous Vehicle Testing. Image of Carnegie Mellon University professor, Dr. Raj Rajkumar, giving a demonstration of the autonomous vehicle during a press conference with Secretary Richards and the Autonomous Vehicle Policy Task Force—provided by PennDOT.