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, Media, NWZAW, Press Release

Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.

Support work zone safety during National Work Zone Awareness Week 2021

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (April 12, 2021) – Everyone deserves to get home safely.

National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), in its 21st year, is a national public awareness campaign that spreads the message that we are all responsible for work zone safety. This year’s NWZAW is April 26-30 with the theme of “Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives."

Statistics from the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse show there were 762 fatal crashes in work zones resulting in 842 deaths in 2019. In addition, 135 roadway workers were killed in work zones in 2019. The vast majority of people killed were motorists, passengers and pedestrians.

“National Work Zone Awareness Week is meant to heighten everyone’s awareness of the need to be alert when approaching a work zone and then traveling safely through the area,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “Everyone’s safety is at risk in these work zones and we want everyone—workers, motorists and their passengers--to get to their destinations and home again safely.”

Statistics from 2018 show there were 123,000 work zone crashes—31,000 of which injury-involved crashes resulting in 45,000 injuries--underscoring the need to observe work zone speeds and eliminate distractions when approaching and driving through work zones.

The National Kickoff Event is hosted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) at 11 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 27 at an MDOT project site on M-49 in Macomb County. It also will be streamed live. Check NWZAW.org for details on NWZAW and its history.

This year's Work Zone Safety Training Day takes place Monday, April 26. The national stand down encourages employers and workers to pause voluntarily during the workday for safety demonstrations, training in hazard recognition and fall prevention, and talks about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations.

As part of NWZAW, all are also encouraged to participate in Go Orange Day on Wednesday, April 28, a day when individuals are encouraged to wear orange as a visual reminder to others of work zones. They are also encouraged to post photos of their Go Orange Day activities to further spread awareness of work zone safety. While fun, participation in Go Orange Day and NWZAW goes a long way in getting much needed attention on work zone safety. 

State departments of transportation, federal agencies and other organizations will be participating in NWZAW and Go Orange Day, putting out Public Service Announcements about work zone safety and hosting events to highlight the issue. For additional information on the history of NWZAW, visit NWZAW.org/learn.

Participate in NWZAW and Go Orange Day – Wednesday, April 28 – by spreading the message of work zone safety with your friends, family and community and by liking, commenting and sharing on social media using the hashtags #NWZAW and #GoOrange4Safety. To learn more about NWZAW, visit NWZAW.org.

Additional hashtags to use on social media include: #NWZAW #SafeWorkZonesForAll #WorkZoneSafety #StandDown4Safety #SaferRoadsSaveLives #GoOrange4Safety

NWZAW was formed by ATSSA, AASHTO and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The partnership has expanded to include the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA), D.C. Department of Transportation (D-DOT), Associated General Contractors (AGC) and American Road & Transportation Builders (ARTBA), plus support from many individuals and organizations touched by work zone safety.

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Tags: NWZAW national work zone awareness week Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives. Michigan DOT NWZAW National Kickoff Event
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