Pennsylvania Preparing for More Self-Driving Cars


STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Wolf Administration officials from the departments of Transportation (PennDOT), Community and Economic Development (DCED), Labor & Industry (L&I), and State Police (PSP) are taking part in the state’s first Automated Vehicle Summit in State College.

The summit, convened by PennDOT and DCED, is reviewing all aspects of automated vehicle development including safety, workforce changes, planning, and industry implications. Roughly 300 transportation officials, academic and industry experts, public officials, planners and industry partners are discussing and learning about how connected and automated vehicle technology is shaping the next generation of travel.

“Automated vehicle technologies will bring significant safety and economic advances, and we need to remain at the forefront of developing them safely,” PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said. “This summit is a chance for our partners to understand the changes and opportunities that are coming to Pennsylvania, and how they can best leverage them.”

Building on the state’s leadership and focus on the safe, efficient development of automated vehicle technologies, the summit includes presentations and panel discussions related to the anticipated opportunities and challenges in implementing HAV technology.

“Pennsylvania under Governor Tom Wolf is taking the lead in this exciting technology that through early-stage ingenuity and cooperation will ensure a wealth of new economic opportunities for businesses, skilled workers and our communities,” said DCED Secretary Dennis Davin.

Administration officials participating in the summit include: PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards, DCED Secretary Dennis Davin, and deputy secretaries, directors and department leaders from PennDOT, DCED, L&I and PSP. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is also taking part in the summit.

Other featured speakers participating in the summit include:

  • Ken Leonard, director of the USDOT’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office; and
  • Dr. Raj Rajkumar, director of T-SET University Transportation Center, Carnegie Mellon University.

 

Part of the day’s discussions include how cities, townships, business models, employment and more will change due to highly automated vehicle technology. With Pennsylvania’s focus on the safe implementation of these technologies, the summit also includes focuses on law enforcement, legal, and first responder interactions.

The summit is hosted by the Pennsylvania Intelligent Transportation Society and the Mid-Atlantic Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

The event underscores the state’s dedication to safe and efficient automated vehicle development, as demonstrated through the Autonomous Vehicle Policy Task Force which PennDOT leads in collaboration with state, federal, academic and private-industry officials.

Join in the automated vehicle discussion on social media using the hashtag #PAAV.

More information on the summit, the state Autonomous Vehicle Policy Task Force and other automated vehicle resources are available atwww.penndot.gov at the “Autonomous Vehicles” featured resource.


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