CCTA wins $7.5M grant for automated driving program
The U.S. Dept. of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded a $7.5M grant to The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA). The money will support a four-year Automated Driving System (ADS) pilot program for 3 real-world demonstration projects.
CCTA will share data from the three demonstration projects with the USDOT. The projects include: shared autonomous transportation for a Walnut Creek senior community; autonomous vehicle shuttle service with a self-docking wheelchair apparatus for patients at County Hospital in Martinez; and the preparation of the Interstate 680 corridor for future connected autonomous vehicles.
Building on success
The ADS program builds on the success of CCTA’s Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Program. As cofounder of GoMentum Station – one of the nation’s largest secure testing facilities for connected and automated vehicle technology – CCTA and its partners have successfully advanced automation to improve vehicle safety and address challenges related to the safe integration of automated driving systems.
“I am proud to have worked with CCTA to secure this grant funding.” said Representative Mark Desaulnier (CA-11).
Working together
Several public and private-sector groups collaborated on designing the program. The American Automobile Association of Northern California, Nevada and Utah (AAA NCNU), County Connection and Advanced Mobility Group worked on the project.
“This important grant is exciting news for Bay Area communities and for American innovation, enabling key initiatives that will pave the way for new mobility options and transportation benefits for underserved communities in our great state,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12). “Building on previous autonomous vehicle testing advancements at Contra Costa Transportation Authority, these federal investments for vitally-needed data will be critical in developing strong safety performance metrics, which must be at the forefront of autonomous vehicle testing and integration.”
Project details
PROJECT 1 – Rossmoor First Mile/Last Mile Shared Autonomous Vehicles, Walnut Creek, Calif. Increase transit accessibility for the elderly community using shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs). Data gathered will be used to develop safety performance measures.
PROJECT 2 – County Hospital, Accessible Transportation, Martinez, Calif. Provide on-demand, wheelchair accessible, autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle service to people who don’t have transportation. Gather data to develop safety performance measures and to provide accessible transportation to public health facilities, improving quality of life and medical appointment absenteeism.
PROJECT 3 – Personal Mobility on I-680 Corridor, Contra Costa County, Calif. Prepare the corridor for future Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV). Install new and upgraded vehicle-to- infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technologies such as DSRC and 4G/5G communications, to accommodate both CAV technology and implementation of innovative operational strategies.
For more information about the CCTA, go to ccta.net.