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

ATSSA & NCUTCD urge publication of MUTCD without delay

Committee votes today for publication without incorporating PROWAG

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The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) passed a resolution today recommending the final rule on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) not be delayed to address this week’s issuance of a final rule for pedestrian accessibility issues.

The U.S. Access Board on Tuesday issued its final rule providing minimum guidelines for accessibility of pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, known as PROWAG.

On May 2, ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailen P. Bhatt urging the FHWA to publish the updated Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by the deadline set forth in the U.S. Code, which was May 15.

ATSSA voted in favor of today’s resolution passed by the NCUTCD.

NCUTCD summer meeting provides traffic signals, VRU, MUTCD updates

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The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) summer meeting addressed a variety of topics including traffic signals and vulnerable road users and provided an indication that work is progressing on the updated Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

In May, ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailen P. Bhatt urging the FHWA to publish the updated MUTCD by the May 15 deadline set forth in the U.S. Code. Tetschner acknowledged the "tremendous amount of work” needed to update the MUTCD but said he wanted to “stress how vital it is that this statutory deadline is met.”

Toward the end of the summer meeting of the NCUTCD, also referred to as “the National Committee,” federal officials made reference to August, suggesting work on the final rule is moving forward. However, there was no commitment that it would be published that month.

 

Apply for ATSSA’s New Products Rollout by Nov. 1

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Apply by Nov. 1 to participate in ATSSA’s New Products Rollout (NPRO) to discover the future of roadway safety innovations. NPRO will be held during ATSSA’s 54th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo in San Diego, Feb. 2-6.

Exhibitors who introduced products after Jan. 1, 2021, are eligible to apply. This year’s earlier deadline is due to the Convention’s earlier date.

Entries accepted for NPRO will be included in the New Products Listing, which showcases the products to more than 3,700 roadway safety professionals who attend ATSSA’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, including listing on the Convention website and mobile app.

ATSSA research indicates raw materials shortage receding

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Since the first quarter of 2021, ATSSA has monitored the availability of several key raw materials on behalf of the roadway safety infrastructure industry.  In the most recent survey conducted in May, most members surveyed indicated they are seeing lessening impacts from the raw materials shortages of last year.

In response to the latest raw materials survey results, ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner said, “I understand there may be continued challenges in obtaining electronic components and microchips to support the demand for signs and signals. Resin, plastics and sheeting have also been referenced. However, most of the suppliers feel they will be able to meet their contractual obligations for this year and be able to build on these successes into 2024. While this is better news than a year ago, we will continue monitoring the availability of materials by surveying our manufacturer and supplier community to ensure ATSSA keeps our industry informed.”

Worker protection headlines Spring Issue of Roadway Safety magazine

Convention Extra supplement details awards, highlights of 2023 Traffic Expo

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Roadway Worker Protection Council Chair Doug Dolinar told Roadway Safety magazine it’s time for a “paradigm shift” in how the industry looks at worker safety.

The Council spent the past year laser focused on that issue, producing a Worker Protection Toolkit that provides members aids for that effort. Details on the toolkit are included in the latest issue of Roadway Safety magazine.

Plus, check out the Convention Extra supplement, packed with highlights from this year’s record-breaking Convention & Traffic Expo in Phoenix where roadway safety and innovation intersected.

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