On Sept. 23-27, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced they have received a grant of $8,409,444 to utilize. 

“The intent of PennDOT’s application is to develop a consistent approach to allow for AVs to safely operate in work zones. Knowing that there is unlikely a single solution, the PennDOT proposal focuses on a combination of connectivity, machine visioning, and high definition mapping,” said Mark C. Kopko, director of the Office of Transformational Technology.

To demonstrate the viability of the solution, the project will perform the demonstrations in a variety of work zone configurations, with varying scale, complexity and duration. PennDOT plans to take a systematic approach of working with testers to verify the proposed AV solutions. “First, all solutions and approaches will be run through multiple simulations. Then demonstrations will occur on a controlled, closed-course environment in State College [, Pennsylvania]. Eventually, upon successful testing, PennDOT will work with the project team to safely integrate the solutions into limited, small-scale demonstrations,” Kopko said.

The main goals of the Advanced Data System Demonstration grant are safety, data for safety analysis and rulemaking, as well as collaboration. Safety focuses on testing the safe integration into the nation’s on-road transportation system. The data for safety analysis and rulemaking consists of ensuring the public of significant data gathering and sharing of data throughout the project. Finally, collaboration is what ties it all together. 

PennDOT then works with innovative state, local governments and private partners to create collaborative environments that entices expertise and knowledge. Kopko said it is an honor for PennDOT to receive such a generous grant. 

“USDOT received 73 applications from cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations, states, transit agencies, other transportation authorities and public universities. Only eight grants were awarded across seven organizations. Of the awardees, PennDOT received the largest single award,” Kopko said. 

Although it is the first time PennDOT is able to apply for an ADS Demonstration Grant, PennDOT has received other USDOT grants in the past.

The only restriction this grant sets besides the standard federal and state procurement restrictions, is that the grant must be used for these purposes within four years from the day it was issued. 

“Through the department’s oversight of automated vehicles over the years, it has become clear that AVs do not perform well in the work zones and routinely require human intervention. In many cases, testers try to avoid work zones altogether. Unlike other AV challenges, such as variable weather conditions, work zones offer a unique opportunity for industry and the public sector to collaborate to resolve this issue and safely advance ADS technology,”  Kopko said.