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

SuperUser Account
/ Categories: ATSSA, Government, Policy, Press Release

ATSSA expresses support for Rebuild America Act of 2019

The legislation would incrementally increase motor fuel user fees to rebuild U.S. infrastructure

ATSSA supports the Rebuild America Act of 2019, which would incrementally increase federal gasoline and diesel user fees to fund needed improvements to the nation’s aging infrastructure.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), would raise the user fee by five cents a year over the next five years, index them to inflation, and signal Congress’ intentions to replace the current system with a more stable funding source for U.S. infrastructure needs over the next decade.

Additionally, this increased funding would provide the foundation for the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund and ensure that investments in roadway safety infrastructure are made on the nation’s roadways to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities.

“It is projected that as of 2021, the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) – a primary source of funding for highway and transit projects from the federal government – will be insolvent. As America becomes less dependent on gasoline-powered transportation and turns to alternative fuel sources, the revenue from the gasoline tax will not be able to keep pace with the funding needed to meet our country’s infrastructure needs,” said ATSSA’s President and CEO Roger Wentz. “The Rebuild America Act would close that gap by 2021. In supporting the Rebuild America Act, ATSSA and our members see an opportunity to ensure that funding for improving and repairing America’s infrastructure and improve safety on our roadways will be provided.”

ATSSA is the leader in roadway safety infrastructure and represents more than 1,500 member organizations across the country that manufacture, supply, install, and maintain roadway safety infrastructure devices that save lives on U.S. roadways.

“The gas tax was last raised more than 25 years ago, which means we are paying for our 2019 infrastructure needs with 1993 dollars. That is unacceptable. Our nation’s infrastructure is falling apart as we fall behind our global competitors. The cost of underinvestment falls especially hard on working families and low-income individuals who can’t afford the cost of a blown tire or lost wages due to congestion. It is past time that we get real about funding our infrastructure needs, we can’t afford inaction any longer,” stated Blumenauer in a release today.

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Tags: government federal government policy rebuild america act of 2019 highway trust fund
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