Enabling Technologies for Vehicle Automation

Vehicle automation relies heavily on technologies such as sensing, wireless communications, localization, mapping, human factors, and several others. Applications planned within the USDOT's automation research roadmap depend on the understanding and applicability of these technologies. Thus it is important to be aware of the state of these technologies, and more importantly to stay ahead of the curve. The value of this task is not in accurately predicting the future of these technologies for USDOT's automation program, but to minimize surprises. A four step process was followed to better understand advances in positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), mapping, communications, sensing and human factors. The first step identified the needs, second tracked high-level trends and based on these findings, the third step identified gaps. Finally, these insights were used to develop potential next steps for USDOT consideration. Paper presents a high-level overview of the research process, findings from the study and insights on next steps.