PennDOT gets grant for automated demonstrations

The transportation industry, states and higher-education are wading deeper into the automated vehicle pool.

On Sept. 18, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the Pennsylvania Department ofTransportation an Automated Driving System Demonstration Grant for $8.4 million.

PennDOT, in conjunction with it’s partners the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Pennsylvania State University and Carnegie Mellon University, were one of eight applicants nationwide to receive a portion of the $60 million of federal money allotted for automated vehicle technology research.

U.S. DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in a news release, “The Department is awarding $60 million in grant funding to test the safe integration of automated vehicles into America’s transportation system, while ensuring that legitimate concerns about safety, security and privacy are addressed.”

According to the release, PennDOT’s project will explore the safe integration of automated driving systems within work zones. It’s partners, Penn State and Carnegie Mellon, will examine “connectivity, visibility and high-definition mapping technologies” being created for automated vehicles.

“I am thrilled that the efforts of the department and our partners in the realm of automated vehicle technology have received national recognition,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards in a news release. “Crashes in highway work zones have killed at least 4,700 Americans — more than two a day — and injured 200,000 in the last five years alone. If we can improve how AV’s interact with work zones, there will be significant safety benefits for the traveling public.”

PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission are also looking to use platooning technology with vehicles within construction zones.