Sandra LarsonJanuary 6, 2016

Automated Vehicle PolicyInitial Study

Automated Vehicle Policy AnalysisInitial study

Dr. Dan McGeheeMark Brewer, Graduate student

Prof. Bryant Walker Smith

Policy Implementation the greatest challenge

• Technologies maturing quickly• Policy issues lagging

Short term issues• Roadway quality/maintenance• Legal issues

Roadway quality/maintenance

Cameras are used for not only detecting vehicles; lane marking quality critical for:

Lane Departure Warning SystemsLane Keeping SystemsLane Centering SystemsAutomated Highway Driving

• All lane markings must be visible• The more contrast the better

Can create contrast even without outside lane markers

Cannot let lane markings fade

Lane markings must follow road adequately

Cannot allow sealing to take place over lane markingsThree steps pre-winter sealing—order is critical

1. Seal seams and cracks2. Oil rumble strips3. Paint last

Short term legal issuesMaintaining Safe Distances

300 feet for trucks at all speeds and“Reasonable Distance” for other vehicles

Platooning“Reasonable” altered by technology

Working to bring demos to state; communicated with public, law enforcement and legislature

Legislation

Consider how future legislation will affect developing technologies

Iowa DOT Director Paul TrombinoGovernor Terry BranstadLt. Governor Kim Reynolds

Dr. Hamid Zarghampour, Chief Strategist, Swedish Transport AdministrationDr. Dan McGehee, University of Iowa

Avoid Legislating If Possible

Conclusions

1. Roadway quality/maintenance

2. Educating public and lawmakers Roads must be maintained to maximize the capability of the assisted driving systems

Public education is vital to ensure sensible administrative and legislative policies

Iowa is taking concrete steps towards comprehensive policies to guide adoption of automated vehicle technologies

Implementation of such technologies will reduce the crash and death rate due to driver error