Connected and Autonomous Vehicles 2040 Vision

Mashayekh, Yeganeh; Biehler, Allen; Hendrickson, Chris · 2014 · ROSA P / Pennsylvania. Dept. of Transportation. Bureau of Planning and Research

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Summary

This report, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and conducted by Carnegie Mellon University researchers, assesses the implications of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) on the state’s surface transportation system. The study is motivated by the rapid advancement of vehicle automation and the need for transportation agencies to adapt their management, design, and operational strategies. The analysis assumes a design year of 2040, by which time connected and autonomous technology will be incorporated into all motor vehicles, including automobiles, freight trucks, and transit buses. The report focuses specifically on impacts relevant to PennDOT’s decision-making, excluding broader societal issues like land use planning. The methodology involves evaluating eight specific areas: design and investment decisions, real-time data usage, existing infrastructure, workforce training, driver licensing, communication device investments, and freight flow. The researchers analyzed these domains under three scenarios: fully connected environments, fully autonomous environments, and connected automated environments. The study also incorporates an expert workshop and reviews current state legislation and federal guidelines to contextualize the transition toward Level 3 and Level 4 automation. Key findings indicate that CAVs will significantly alter infrastructure needs and operational protocols. For design and investment, the report recommends reevaluating planned capacity enhancements, such as roadway widening, as connected driving may increase lane capacity without physical expansion. PennDOT is advised to prioritize investments in Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) roadside units for safety applications like stop-sign and red-light violations, while relying on private sector partnerships for cellular-based mobility data. Regarding workforce and licensing, the report suggests updating driver’s license examiner training and incorporating simulator-based testing for automation levels. It notes that Level 4 automation may eventually allow individuals with medical impairments or age-related restrictions to drive. For freight, the study recommends updating the Automated Permit and Route Analysis System (APRAS) to accommodate connected vehicles and phasing out traditional weigh stations in favor of weigh-in-motion technology. The significance of this report lies in its provision of a strategic timeline for PennDOT to implement these changes. The authors recommend immediate actions, such as evaluating existing ITS investments for compatibility with CAVs and identifying key locations for DSRC deployment. Between 2016 and 2020, PennDOT should upgrade signal controllers and conduct small-scale V2I deployments. By 2031–2040, the agency may need to dedicate highway lanes to autonomous vehicles and repurpose existing infrastructure. The report concludes that while federal regulators handle many policy decisions, PennDOT must proactively prepare its infrastructure and workforce to ensure a smooth transition to a fully automated transportation environment.

Key finding

PennDOT should reevaluate planned capacity enhancement projects and prioritize Dedicated Short Range Communication investments while updating driver licensing and freight infrastructure strategies to accommodate fully connected and autonomous vehicles by 2040.

Methodology

review

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• driverless ads
• v2x connected vehicle
• situational awareness

Information type

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• Methodological Resource: dataset resource
• Synthesis & Review: research agenda
• Theoretical Contribution: conceptual framework