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: ATSSA, Innovation, Press Release, Tech and Innovation, Work Zones

ATSSA & TRB announce 2024 Traffic Control Device Student Challenge

Contest offers opportunity for students to innovate for the future of roadway safety

Fredericksburg, Va. (April 17, 2023) – The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) and Transportation Research Board (TRB) Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices invite students to compete in the 2024 Traffic Control Device (TCD) Student Challenge.

The TCD Student Challenge promotes innovation and stimulates ideas in the traffic control devices industry with a goal to improve operations and safety and encourage future generations of roadway safety professionals. As part of the challenge, individuals or student teams submit solutions in the subject area of transportation and roadway safety based on the chosen topic for the year.

This year’s topic is “Innovations to Improve the Nighttime Visibility of Traffic Control Devices.”

The TCD Student Challenge is open to high school, junior college, college and university students or teams of students with an interest in transportation and an understanding of traffic control devices. Students in relevant fields such as transportation, human factors and technology-related curricula are particularly encouraged to participate.

“The TCD Student Challenge provides students an extraordinary opportunity to apply their knowledge and critical thinking skills to a real-world transportation problem and potentially save lives,” said ATSSA Manager of Innovation & Technical Services Melodie Matout. “With the nighttime fatality rate on the nation’s roadways being three times higher than the daytime rate and the frequent overnight hours for road work, this topic provides a real-world challenge that directly affects worker safety. Students with winning proposals will have the opportunity to get their ideas in front of working professionals, offering them tremendous exposure as they pursue careers in this rewarding field.”

Participants receive the opportunity to present their designs in a public forum during the 2024 TRB Annual Meeting, set for Jan. 7-11 in Washington, D.C. The top team also wins a $1,500 prize and the opportunity to present its submission at ATSSA’s 54th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, set for Feb. 2-6 in San Diego.

The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 1, 2023. To learn more about the challenge, visit ATSSA.com/TCDStudentChallenge.

To learn about the 2023 winners, visit: bit.ly/TCDSC2023.

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Tags: work zone safety TCD Student Challenge TRB Transportation Research Board worker safety
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