Federal Highway Administration National Dialogue on Highway Automation: June 7, 2018 Launch Workshop Summary

Workshop Takeaways

FHWA Has a Role as a Facilitator

Workshop participants discussed how FHWA could act as a facilitator to conduct outreach and engage a diverse set of partnerships around automation. Integrating AVs into the transportation system requires varied groups of stakeholders to work together. There is a need to convene State and local agencies, vehicle manufacturers, technology companies, associations, advocacy groups, and the public to enable collaboration. In particular, State and local agencies are looking for a better understanding of how AV technologies interact with the roadway infrastructure and seek to engage with industry to address this question. FHWA could play a potential role in supporting this type of discussion. Several participants suggested creating forums to facilitate dialogue between agencies and industry regarding priorities, challenges, and joint initiatives to enable automation.

A National Vision for Automation Will Help Clarify Goals

There was discussion regarding the need for a clear vision for automated vehicles. Many referred to the need for a "moonshot" vision for the deployment of AVs. This vision can help stakeholders identify priority areas and action items, both in the short and long terms. A national vision could describe an automated future that is achievable through a defined series of actionable goals. This vision should also describe clear milestones for different timeframes, such as pre-AV deployment, mixed-fleet transition, and full AV deployment.

There may be a need for the USDOT and other Federal agencies to reaffirm their priorities regarding the integration of automated vehicles into our roadway system. There is an interest in how government roles at different levels (e.g., Federal, State, and local) need to be more clearly defined. The roles of differing government agencies, even within the USDOT, are not always evident. There is an interest in identifying clear roles for industry stakeholders and their objectives in advancing AVs. Stakeholders desired engagement with USDOT in developing this national vision or strategic framework for AVs.

Clear Communication and Outreach Can Help Encourage Public Adoption

Public perception regarding automation varies widely, ranging from optimistic expectations to a strong distrust in the technology. It may be necessary to recognize and address both sides of public opinion by managing perceptions and assessing public attitudes toward adopting new technologies. Workshop participants noted a potential USDOT role in supporting clear communication by providing consistent messaging and coordination across national organizations. In particular, the USDOT could help engage nontraditional partners (such as emerging technology companies) to support the use of terminology and language that is accessible to all stakeholders. Regarding outreach, participants felt that there are too many workshops and events on automation, making it difficult to assess which events to attend and how they differ. One suggestion was to establish a clearinghouse or a recognized source of information about automation-related events.

A Lack of Infrastructure Consistency Can Hinder Adoption

Inconsistencies in roadway infrastructure design and condition may be challenging for automated vehicle technologies. For example, inconsistent or unclear signage may be confusing or cumbersome for AV technologies as they try to interpret the roadway environment. Several noted the importance of having uniform traffic control devices and infrastructure design to support roadway readiness for AVs. Creating consistency across the roadway environment would require substantial coordination with industry and State and local agencies. There may also be a need for a flexible approach toward infrastructure planning to accommodate the rapid development of AV technologies. Although greater consistency in the roadway infrastructure was an overall theme raised throughout the workshop, there was acknowledgment of the risk of designing infrastructure for a technology that could dramatically change or become obsolete. Overall, participants suggested that agencies plan for AVs with an approach that is performance-based, standards-oriented, and technologically flexible and agnostic.

Information Sharing Can Be Useful for Automated Vehicles

Data and information-sharing were raised as important for supporting safe and efficient integration of AVs. Certain types of data and information about the roadway may need to be exchanged to support efficient AV operations. Specifically, participants discussed how a secure digital infrastructure could help facilitate information exchanges between vehicles and infrastructure. Having a national data architecture could also help support data exchange, enhance interoperability, and improve data quality. It was suggested that the USDOT could act as a clearinghouse for AV-related data, as well as provide resources for further research and development of best practices. One suggested approach was to develop a central source of information regarding AVs that could be used to house information received from the National Dialogue, as well as best practices, guidance, and other items.

Mixed-Fleet Transition Period Will Require Interoperability

Discussion during the workshop emphasized how not all vehicles will be at the same level of automation at once, but rather, there will be a mixed vehicle fleet that includes automated, partially automated, and non-automated vehicles for a long time. The roadway environment will need to accommodate all vehicles and road users during this transition period. In addition, participants discussed how AVs will continue to increase the ranges and types of environments in which they operate over time.