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

Crashes involving transit vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians are a concern in Texas, especially in the 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 To accomplish these objectives, the researchers conducted 25 meetings and 4 workshops with diverse stakeholder groups to gain insight into safety issues and concerns. The researchers reviewed AV/CV case studies of related technologies and examined federal, state, and local legislation and policies related to AV/CV, bicyclists, and pedestrians. They developed near-term applications using AV/CV technologies to improve safety, and held roundtable forums with stakeholders and technology firms to review the approaches and to identify possible partnerships. In collaboration with Texas A&M University Transportation Services and the private firms Mobileye and Rosco, a pilot of the Mobileye Shield collision avoidance system was conducted on one Texas A&M bus. The research team monitored the pilot, and used the results to assist in developing the concept of operations (ConOps) plan for an AV/CV Test Bed to Improve Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Safety. The ConOps plan includes the overall vision and goals for the AV/CV Test Bed to Improve Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Safety. Moving forward with the ConOps implementation plan will begin improving transit, bicyclist, and pedestrian safety in Texas. This implementation plan outlines the next steps for the Texas Department of Transportation and its partners in designing, testing, piloting, and deploying the near-term candidate applications.