DOT designates 10 self-driving test sites

[Shawn Knight]

Government red tape is often blamed for stifling innovation but that’s not always the case. The US Department of Transportation, for example, recently designated 10 proving ground sites for autonomous vehicle testing in the US.

Described as a logical “next step” in the DOT’s effort to advance the safe deployment of automated technology, the hope is that these designated locations will encourage testing and bolster the sharing of information around self-driving vehicle technology.

Addressing the matter directly, US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the proving grounds will collectively form a “Community of Practice” around safe testing and deployment in which participants will openly share best practices in order to learn at a faster rate and accelerate the pace of deployment.

The DOT selected the 10 proving grounds from a field of more than 60 applicants which included academic institutions, cities, state Departments of Transportation, partnerships and private entities. The locations chosen are as follows:

• City of Pittsburgh and the Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute
• Texas AV Proving Grounds Partnership
• U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center
• American Center for Mobility (ACM) at Willow Run
• Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) & GoMentum Station
• San Diego Association of Governments
• Iowa City Area Development Group
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Central Florida Automated Vehicle Partners
• North Carolina Turnpike Authority

It’s certainly encouraging to see the government get behind the advancement of self-driving technology although the impact this program will have could be minimal.

Most major autonomous technology players already have their own testing facilities. Perhaps more importantly, they also have a vested interest in protecting potentially lucrative intellectual property. As such, convincing the Googles, Teslas and Ubers of the world to unite for the greater good won’t be an easy sell.

Photo: Michael Short, Special To The Chronicle

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https://www.techspot.com/news/67851-dot-designates-10-self-driving-test-sites-hopes.html

 

[rvnwlfdroid]

At least a couple of those sites will get some winter weather. So far I believe that's the one area that has had the least time spent on. Nothing like a snow covered road to make a system say WTH do I do now....

 

[rvnwlfdroid]

At least a couple of those sites will get some winter weather. So far I believe that's the one area that has had the least time spent on. Nothing like a snow covered road to make a system say WTH do I do now....

Now that I think about it... a fair number of "Real" people do that as well...

 

[Uncle Al]

It's a good start, but as mentioned, these vehicles need to be tested in a wide range of settings under a wide variety of circumstances. Ice & snow present as unique an experience as extreme temperature or driving on a beach. Ideally, the collective data would be shared between vehicles and manufacturers so everyone would benefit, but of course in the great American tradition, everyone will make THEIR data the best through proprietary applications leaving you and me as the end user, looser .....