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

Midyear Meeting starts Tuesday in Rhode Island

General session will address ongoing supply chain challenges

ATSSA’s Midyear Meeting kicks off on Tuesday, launching the annual collaboration of industry insiders gathered to address the latest innovations and challenges in the roadway safety infrastructure industry.

This year’s event takes place in Providence, R.I., where Wednesday’s agenda includes a panel discussion on workforce, materials and supply chain issues.

“Construction and transportation industry challenges – potholes on the industry highway” will be moderated by ATSSA Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith. Panelists include Kate Fox Wood, senior director of government relations with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Jonathan Starks of FTR, who is a longtime member of the freight industry, and Sterling Wiggins with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The 1-hour session starts at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and will focus on the state of affairs across the construction and transportation industries and what the path forward may look like.

Registration is still open for the Midyear Meeting, which runs through Friday.

This year’s event takes place at the Omni Providence Hotel. An ATSS Foundation fundraiser on Wednesday evening is hosted by the New England ATSSA Chapter and will be held at the historic Squantum Association, where participants will enjoy a classic New England style dinner and entertainment by Stone Shakers, winner of ATSSA’s Battle of the Bands contest.

More than 350 participants are expected for Midyear, which is held to advance roadway safety through a laser-like focus on key areas facing the industry. The four-day schedule includes council and committee meetings to address each area of the industry from pavement markings to guardrails, signs, signals, safety, innovations, temporary traffic control, high friction surface treatment, strategic highway safety plans, work zone intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and government relations. Plus, the newest councils—Roadway Worker Protection and Women in Roadway Safety—will continue making headway on their missions.

Join the action at this year’s Midyear Meeting and add the 2023 meeting to your calendar now. The 2023 Midyear Meeting will be held Aug. 15-18 at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel.

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