Federal Highway Administration National Dialogue on Highway Automation: June 26-27, 2018 Policy and Planning Workshop Summary

Breakout Session II: Digital Infrastructure

This section summarizes stakeholder discussion from the second breakout session. Questions asked during this discussion included:

• What types of scenario planning activities would be helpful in understanding modal interactions with AVs?
• How could AVs affect transportation funding and revenues? What are the challenges and opportunities?
• What challenges or opportunities do rural areas provide for AV implementation?
• What planning practices will help make confident decisions despite rapid technological evolution?
• What are the planning issues in relation to each of the National Dialogue focus areas (Digital Infrastructure and Data, Freight, Operations, Infrastructure Design, and Safety)?
• What questions have we missed that need to be discussed?

Creating New Revenue Structures

During this session, the discussion emphasized how increasing AVs on the roadways could lead to decreases in government revenue from traditional funding sources and that new revenue models would need to be considered. For example, since AVs may be developed as electric vehicles (EVs), public agencies could see decreasing revenues from fuel taxes. As AVs will be programmed to consistently follow the rules of the road, law enforcement agencies could see lower municipal revenues from parking tickets and traffic violations (e.g., speeding tickets). Another example provided was a potential drop in sales tax revenue if vehicle purchases decrease due to a drop in private vehicle ownership. Given these potential scenarios, there may be a need to identify new potential revenue sources. One consideration discussed was the use of a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) based fee for AVs, while others pointed to the need for a more structural shift in transportation funding.

Increasing Mobility and Accessibility for All

There could be some challenges in ensuring that the benefits of AV technologies reach all citizens, not only those who live in or near urban areas. Disadvantaged populations and rural communities may not be as likely to have opportunities to take advantage of AV technologies because their communities may not be a focus for private industry. In addition, some rural areas may have limited connectivity, gravel or unmarked roads, and other characteristics that could make it difficult for AVs to navigate. Yet, AVs could offer significant benefits in mobility by improving the first-mile and last-mile connection, expanding access to emergency services, and supporting efficient goods delivery. In addition, how these benefits could also lead to economic development opportunities was discussed. Finally, a few participants noted that rural communities could lead in automation, especially as AVs support agricultural and freight applications.

Leveraging the Existing Planning Process

The transportation planning process may need to evolve to address AVs and the uncertainty that these new technologies introduce into transportation planning and investment prioritization. However, participants considered that the existing planning process represents a good foundation for moving forward and that remaining flexible throughout the planning process will be important as AV technologies continue to develop. There are uncertainties around how AVs will impact congestion, land use, travel patterns, freight, and the broader transportation system. Visualizing how road networks could change over time with different levels of automation capability and adoption rates was identified as useful to inform transportation planning and modeling. Overall, participants thought that more information and data would assist with managing uncertainty about AVs. Also, ongoing pilots and testing of AVs represent opportunities for learning and could help support collaboration among the planning community, industry, and public agencies.

Continuing Iterative Public Engagement

Participants noted that stakeholder engagement should reflect an iterative and continuous process. Stakeholders expect the discussion points to evolve as AV technology develops and more information about its implications are known. It may be essential to gain the confidence and 'buy-in' of local communities and the public, as they continue to interface directly with the technology. In addition, other modal users, like transit users, bicyclists, and pedestrians, will need to share their concerns and expertise to create a transportation system that is safe and accessible for all road users. Finally, participants stated that FHWA may want to consider continuing its role as convener to encourage collaboration across different stakeholder groups.