land-use data , vehicle miles traveled , vehicle trips and population growth to determine what the future will look like . Autonomous vehicles disrupt that picture . That is not to say steps aren ’ t being taken to clarify the vision , including scenario planning .
Here are some scenarios running through Hill ’ s mind :
Potential scenario 1 : Society becomes more dependent on Uber and Lyftlike companies and many may not own a car , but use autonomous vehicle services for transportation .
Potential scenario 2 : I own an autonomous vehicle and it serves me and my family , and I allow it to serve others while I don ’ t need it , perhaps while I ’ m at work .
To better understand the likely use of autonomous vehicles , MetroPlan Orlando in partnership with the University of Central Florida ( UCF ) and FDOT is participating in a six-year grant : Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technology Deployment .
The grant will allow for testing of smart city transportation technology to provide recommendations for possible national models . It includes a pedestrian and bicycle collision avoidance system , traffic signal technology , trip planning technology , a sophisticated database for collected data , and autonomous and connected vehicles . All of this will occur in or around the UCF area in East Orlando .
While testing the technology is crucial , so is evaluating the public ’ s reaction , notes UF ’ s Elefteriadou . At the other end of The Corridor in Tampa Bay , reactions include some hesitations about a driverless car as noted by Melanie Roux , driver / trainer for HART ( Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority ) HyperLINK . The rideshare program helps connect people to and from the Tampa Bay area ’ s transit system .
Roux hears “ I want a driver ” when users of HART HyperLINK find out a Tesla is included in the fleet and could be on its way to pick them up , assuming the car drives itself . “ They ’ re afraid to let the car drive them ,” she said . “ Once they see the car is safe , I think they will come around .”
To be clear , there is always a driver answering the call for HART HyperLINK . While the four Teslas in the fleet could be self-driving , the organization does not activate the feature . Vans without connectivity features also round out the fleet for the program .
Furthermore , HART plans to deploy an autonomous shuttle to connect a local transit center to nearby offices and residences in Downtown Tampa .
“ Other states are just dipping their toe into the water
“ I have been working in this field for almost 30 years and at this moment the public ’ s imagination is completely captured by what is happening in transportation .”
of testing vehicles and we are jumping into deployment of vehicles ,” said Florida Senator Jeff Brandes ( R-St . Petersburg ) at the 2017 Florida Automated Vehicles Summit held in Tampa . “ I think that ’ s meaningful . I think that ’ s powerful . I think that sets the tone that Florida is leading in this space and we are going to continue to lead for many years .”
Part of The Corridor ’ s ability to continue leadership in the space comes from the Center for Urban Transportation Research ( CUTR ) at the University of South Florida . CUTR works with local , statewide and other partners to evaluate , research and develop innovation in transportation .
“ I have been working in this field for almost 30 years and at this moment the public ’ s imagination is completely captured by what is happening in transportation ,” said Robert Bertini , Ph . D ., CUTR director and USF professor of civil and environmental engineering . “ This is an incredible opportunity … we shouldn ’ t miss this opportunity to make something exciting happen .”
Bertini emphasizes the need to have an open mind and think of ways to take advantage of technological advancements to create communities where people want to live , work and play . And , in creating those opportunities , ensuring it ’ s done in an efficient and equitable manner to benefit all people .
CUTR is not only a center for research , but one for education as well . Bertini knows there is a need for education surrounding these ideas for transportation . More tools to share the realities of autonomous vehicles will help the public better understand the goal of this work . And the goal is safety – the number one priority in transportation .
“ When you look at the core vision of the Florida Department of Transportation , at the very top of the list is safety ,” said David Gwynn , district secretary of transportation , FDOT District 7 . “ You ’ ve heard a lot in recent years about technology causing problems with safety … with distracted driving and other things , but this is the same thing that can deliver us toward a safer environment and reduce fatalities and injuries .”
As safety guides a common interest across the state , the technology requires extensive collaboration among varied fields , including occupational therapy , computer science and civil engineering , plus local and statewide partners . UF ’ s Elefteriadou sees the strength of FDOT alongside UF ’ s interdisciplinary approach at the transportation institute and the City of Gainesville ’ s collaborative mindset as assets for innovation for transportation .
As such , Elefteriadou credits the City as one that is forward-looking and willing to try new technology in the community . To continue development , she stresses a need for industry partners for further collaboration . The multi-year project seeks technology that is ready or almost ready for deployment to evaluate in the testbed . Joint development of technology , proof of concept and other opportunities for companies doing research are waiting in The Corridor .
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