Cooperative Automated Transportation (CAT)

Cooperative Automated Transportation

Roadway safety in a cooperative automated world

Highway automation is not years away, or even days away. It’s here now, causing a number of state transportation agencies to react with initiatives related to preparing and supporting Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs) on U.S. roadways.


Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs)

Cooperative Automated Transportation (CAT) deals with CAVs, which are vehicles capable of driving on their own with limited or no human involvement in navigation and control. Per the definition adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are six levels of automation (Levels 0-2: driver assistance and Levels 3-5: HAV), each of which requires its own specification and marketplace considerations.


Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs)

For traffic safety, vehicle-to-everything communications is the wireless exchange of critical safety and operational data between vehicles and anything else. The "X" could be roadway infrastructure, other vehicles, roadway workers or other safety and communication devices. ATSSA members are at the forefront of these technologies, and are working with stakeholders across new industries to see these innovations come to life.


Sensor Technology

CAVs rely on three main groups of sensors: camera, radar, and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR). The camera sensors capture moving objects and the outlines of roadway devices to get speed and distance data. Short- and long-range radar sensors work to detect traffic from the front and the back of CAVs. LIDAR systems produce three-dimensional images of both moving and stationary objects.


For more information about ATSSA’s efforts on CAT and CAV’s and their interaction with our member products check out the resources below.




Resources

Pam
/ Categories: Advocacy, ATSSA, Government, Infrastructure, Legislative Briefing & Fly-In, Policy, Transportation

ATSSA members advocating for roadway safety on Capitol Hill today

Legislative Briefing & Fly-In returns to nation’s capital after two virtual events

ATSSA members from across the country are meeting with legislators on Capitol Hill today, carrying their insights and priorities for roadway safety directly to lawmakers.

Sixty meetings are scheduled with members of the Senate, the House of Representatives and their legislative teams.

The goal is to fuel the future of roadway safety by carrying their message directly to the nation’s decision makers.

ATSSA’s two-day Legislative Briefing & Fly-In returned to Washington, D.C., this week after two years as a virtual event because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 50 people representing 17 states and the District of Columbia registered to attend the event, which is a benefit of ATSSA membership.

On Monday, ATSSA members took part in a Legislative Briefing where they heard from several speakers including Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Emily Schweninger, senior policy advisor for Transportation, Health and Safety with the U.S. Department of Transportation,  and three Congressional staff members – Rebecca Higgins on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Majority Staff, Laruen Baker, on the Senate EPW Committee Minority Staff,  and Garrett Gee, House Transportation & Infrastructure Majority Staff.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner welcomed the members to D.C., thanking them for taking the time to invest in the future of roadway safety by gaining or sharpening their advocacy skills and then putting them into practice.

ATSSA Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith discussed roadway safety priorities including the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, which passed in November and provides significant funding for the industry. He also addressed the negatives of suspending gas taxes, which has happened in a handful of states but is not expected to gain traction at the federal level.

The ongoing effects of rising fuel prices, raw materials shortages and workforce challenges are all topics impacting the roadway safety infrastructure industry.

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Tags: roadway safety Stacy Tetschner Nate Smith Rep. Brendan Boyle USDOT IIJA raw materials shortage supply chain Legislative Briefing & Fly-In fuel prices
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