Strategy #38
Automated Highways/Vehicles
Seek involvement to ensure that safety, security, and enforcement issues are adequately addressed in the development of automated highway systems.
Background
Since at least the 1950’s, engineers have dreamed of an automated highway environment where vehicle speed, lane position, and following distance are controlled automatically. With advances in electronics, these types of systems are within technological reach, and a prototype has been successfully demonstrated.
Actions
- Seek involvement in the development of automated highways.
- Allow system testing to occur on law enforcement driver training facilities, if available.
Benefits
- Greater consideration of safety, security, and enforcement issues.
- Improved functioning of automated highway systems.
- Greater acceptance of this technology.
Other Considerations
- Cost of the technology.
- Increased skills, expertise and training for personnel to support and operate.
- Accuracy and reliability of technology.
- Potential increase in support staff requirements, which may cause a reduction in existing personnel levels.
- Inter-connectivity with other systems and privacy issues of shared systems.