Automated and Connected Vehicle (AV/CV) Test Bed to Improve Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Safety: Technical Report

Crashes involving transit vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians are a concern in Texas, especially in urban areas. This research explored the potential of automated and connected vehicle (AV/CV) technology to reduce or eliminate these crashes. The project objectives focused on identifying safety concerns related to the interaction of transit vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and targeting AV/CV technologies to mitigate or eliminate those concerns. Concept applications were identified, along with public and private sector partners. A Concept of Operations Plan for designing, testing, piloting, demonstrating, and deploying candidate applications through an AV/CV Test Bed to Improve Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Safety was developed. To accomplish these objectives, the research team conducted 25 meetings and 4 workshops with diverse stakeholder groups to gain insight into safety issues and concerns. The research team also reviewed AV/CV case studies of related technologies and examined federal, state, and local legislation and policies related to AV/CV, bicyclists, and pedestrians. A pilot of a collision-avoidance system was conducted on one Texas A&M University bus. Near-term applications using AV/CV technologies to improve safety were developed and roundtable forums were held with stakeholders and technology firms to review the approaches and to identify possible partnerships.