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

FCC extends deadline for replies to comments on 5.9 GHz band proposal

The Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology granted a 21-day extension of the deadline for submitting replies to comments regarding a proposed rule change regarding the 5.9 GHz band.

The new deadline is April 27.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced the proposal to reallocate a portion of the 5.9 GHz band - also commonly referred to as the "safety spectrum" - to other uses, including WiFi at a Nov. 20 meeting.

Organizations had until March 9 to file responses to the proposal. They then originally had until April 6 to file responses to the comments.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) on March 20 both requested a 90-day extension of the reply comment filing date.

AASHTO and ITSA sought the extension because of the “extensive record generated by the comments in the midst of the disruptions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the statement issued by the Office of Engineering and Technology with its decision.

The office noted that extensions aren’t “routinely granted” but did so under the circumstances and “to develop the record to the fullest extent possible in this proceeding.”

The FCC’s five-member commission voted unanimously on Dec. 12 to “take a fresh and comprehensive look at the 5.9 GHz (5.850-5.925 GHz) band, proposing rule changes to ensure that this spectrum supports its highest and best use for the American people,” according to an FCC press release. The proposal is to reallocate a portion of the band to uses such as WiFi.

ATSSA filed its response in opposition to the FCC proposal on March 2, saying it was “steadfastly opposed” to the changes.

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