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October 27, 2021
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s regular digest of transportation technologies and emerging travel trends from Northern Virginia and across the globe
This summer, we asked you to participate in our long-range transportation plan update through a variety of public input opportunities, including a TransAction Transportation Priorities Survey.
You told us you’re more likely to use an electric vehicle (EV) once more infrastructure is in place and once EVs are more affordable. You’re more likely to use an autonomous vehicle once you’re confident they’re safe.
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Did You Know?
Credit: Gerd Altmann, Pixabay
A new Transportation Technology webpage has been added to the NVTA website! It features content on NVTA’s Transportation Technology Committee (TTC) and the Transportation Technology Strategic Plan (TTSP) they championed; the Regional Multi-Modal Mobility Program (RM3P), of which NVTA is a co-sponsor; the annual Northern Virginia Transportation Roundtable series; and info on how to get the latest news on innovation in transportation.
We hope this will make it even easier to stay up-to-date on all of NVTA’s transportation technology activities!
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Innovative Transportation Technologies
Credit: David Zalubowski, AP
Five Midwest states form electric vehicle pact. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin have all joined together to collaborate on a region-wide electric vehicle charging network, as well as other actions, to support electrification. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that underpins this voluntary agreement, known as the Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) Midwest, acknowledges both the environmental and economic benefits of this course of action. The group will focus on cars and light-duty trucks, but also identifies opportunities for medium and heavy-duty fleet electrification.
Six questions with Smart Columbus on lessons since program's conclusion. In 2016, the City of Columbus won the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Smart City Challenge, resulting in up to $50 million of public and private funds to develop and operate a series of innovative transportation solutions. Mobility, sustainability and digitalization were the area of focus for this initiative, which included projects like a trip planning app called Pivot; a parking payment app; a data analytics system; connected vehicle technologies; trip planning kiosks; and prenatal trip assistance program. The former Smart Columbus program manager recently provided insights into the challenges and successes the city experienced in the initial implementation of these projects and how the city will continue this work.
Credit: Shutterstock
People are eager for autonomous vehicles, ASU study finds. The Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority of Greater Phoenix partnered with Waymo to conduct a six-month pilot program, in which individuals who are advanced in age and/or people with disabilities, had access to an AV-based mobility-on-demand service. These individuals were able to summon the service using a mobile app, and use it for any trip purpose. After the conclusion of the pilot, “most [participants] said AV services are safe and convenient and even preferable to traditional taxis or ride-share options.”
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Emerging Trends
Credit: Roots 657
Food flight: Roots 657 explores the future of restaurant deliveries. Chef Rieloff, of Roots 657 and his team have historically taken an innovative approach to the dishes they prepare, and now they are looking to elevate their delivery, literally. They have partnered with Xelevate, a local unmanned systems flight facility, and Vayu Aerospace, to do initial testing of food delivery via aerial drone. The team recently conducted a successful test flight on the Roots property, while operating the drone in uncontrolled airspace (below 400’). Regulations of these delivery drones for wide-spread usage are still being developed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Extension of road user charge pilot will consider efficiency and equity. As a way to fund transportation, California has extended its pilot program to test the concept of a pay-per-mile fee for road usage. In a nutshell: drive less, pay less. The objective here is to find a sustainable source of funding for transportation demand that aligns with sustainability goals and is generated equitably.
Credit: Homeland Security Today
Guidance issued to mitigate threats to autonomous vehicles. As the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is underway, AVs will need to be digitally connected to their environments and will rely heavily on the rapid exchange of data, which will create opportunities for cyber and physical threats. For these reasons, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has created an Autonomous Vehicle Cyber-Attack Taxonomy (AV|CAT) tool that identifies and categorizes risks, as well as an Autonomous Ground Vehicle Security Guide, designed to help mitigate said risks. The CISA recommends integrating their suggested strategies at both the enterprise and asset-levels in security plans.
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
Stay on top of the latest in transportation by signing up for our e-newsletters. NVTA Update will keep you in the loop on all the happenings at the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the Driven by InNoVation e-newsletter will take a look at the latest transportation technology trends across the globe.
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