Automated vehicles (AVs) can only become viable through the analysis of data, Donna Matulac, Iowa Department of Transportation’s AV technologies project manager, recently said.
Iowa’s AV technologies project uses data to improve how the transportation system operates and to determine how to move freight and people safely and efficiently.
The goal is to create an environment for AV technologies and automated driving to thrive in Iowa.
“The rise in technologies related to connected and AVs has caused us to look at the data we currently have and identify gaps that need to be filled in the coming years to keep Iowa in the forefront of data collection and utilization to support an increased level of vehicle automation,” Matulac said.
Smart technology is not enough, Matulac said. This is why Iowa DOT is researching department functions that must be automated and closely monitored to enable safe AV operation. This includes things such as traffic queue/backup detection, lane closures, weather notifications, connected traffic signal solutions, and work zones.
Iowa DOT has decided to begin its automated efforts with high-definition digital mapping of I-380 from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City and some sections of I-80 around Iowa City.
The third phase of the project, testing a vehicle with partial AV control, will be this summer.