As part of a research project sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is examining automated and connected vehicle (AV/CV) applications to improve transit, bicycle, and pedestrian safety. Data from transit agencies in metropolitan areas in Texas indicate safety concerns involving buses and pedestrians, and buses and bicyclists. This research project is exploring the potential of AV/CV to reduce or eliminate these concerns. The research project includes conducting meetings and workshops with key stakeholder groups, examining federal and state regulations associated with AV/CV deployment, documenting case studies from the U.S. and Europe, and investigating potential AV/CV technologies. The key outcome of these activities is the identification of near-term AV/CV applications to improve transit, bicycle, and pedestrian safety to move forward into a Concept of Operations (ConOps) document. The first phase of the project will be completed in August 2015. Work on the ConOps plan will begin in September 2015 and will be completed by April 2016.
The first task of this project included meetings with stakeholders and workshops. During Task 1 TTI researchers conducted 22 one-on-one meetings with stakeholders and hosted three workshops to discuss safety issues, AV/CV technology, and stakeholder interest in participating in future testing and pilots.


