Our experts provide regular updates on federal regulation, legislation and policy advancements at the Maryland Department of Transportation’s agency-wide Connected and Automated Vehicle (C/AV) Working Group, as well as share information on C/AV activities in other states. WSP has also supported many initiatives and exploratory conversations within the Maryland Transit Administration and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration specific to next generation mobility issues and C/AV technology impacts.
For the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), our team developed a C/AV road map in 2017, and in 2018 completed a five-year C/AV strategic plan. In pursuit of this effort, we supported an internal C/AV working group within MDTA, and solicited stakeholder feedback on various issues unique to the MDTA including law enforcement and revenue collection. As we move into 2019, we are assisting staff in developing and conducting pilot demonstration projects, and advancing several of the recommendations included in the plan.
For the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), WSP is supporting an internal C/AV working group, helping various departments incorporate C/AV into their programs. We track state legislation, provide technology updates, help craft federal grant applications, and develop presentation materials for conferences and workshops.
For MDOT SHA’s first C/AV Strategic Action Plan, completed in December 2017, WSP helped the agency’s working group explore and develop a plan that bridges the gap between strategic and operational issues. The document was a collaborative effort among several offices and divisions within SHA. In addition to proposing an agency-wide vision for C/AV, the plan supported that vision with five key goals, 17 strategies and 35 individual recommendations specific to MDOT SHA’s current program and organizational structure.
WSP also delivered a comprehensive technical planning and requirements document for MDOT SHA for a corridor-wide connected vehicle pilot. The US 1 Innovative Technology Deployment Corridor project will combine arterial traffic management, incident management and C/AV readiness. The project includes the deployment of dedicated short-range communications at 20 intersections along the corridor. This will represent Maryland’s response to the National SPaT (signal phase and timing) Challenge, while also providing the agency with valuable experience and workforce development exploration with the new technology.
