Understanding Self-Driving Cars: Educational Tools for Automation

The rapid development and deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) present both challenges and opportunities for the public. This project aims to create a comprehensive suite of educational materials tailored to engage and inform a diverse audience, particularly kids and young adults, about AV technologies. These materials will include zines, comics, videos, and other digital content designed to demystify AV technology and explain its potential impacts on urban environments. By focusing on clear, accessible communication, this initiative will foster public awareness, understanding, and engagement, ensuring that all citizens—regardless of age or background—can participate in the conversation about the future of transportation. This project directly supports several key U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) priorities, including Equity, Climate and Sustainability, and Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness. The project addresses Equity by creating educational content specifically designed to reach underserved and under-messaged populations, ensuring broad access to information about AV technologies. This inclusive perspective is critical, as access to transportation innovations should not be limited by age, or educational background. Furthermore, the project contributes to Climate and Sustainability by highlighting the potential environmental benefits of AVs, such as reductions in traffic congestion, pollution, and energy use. By educating the public on these aspects, the project encourages the adoption of AV technologies that can support more sustainable and efficient urban systems. Finally, the project supports Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness by preparing future generations to understand and interact with cutting-edge technologies – and to see career opportunities in STEM fields. By fostering technological literacy from an early age, this project helps ensure that young people are equipped to participate in the evolving mobility sector, which is critical for maintaining the US leadership in transportation innovation.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $66010
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348328

  ZSB12017-SJAUX

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Mineta Consortium for Equitable, Efficient, and Sustainable Transportation

  San Jose State University
  San Jose, CA  United States  95112
• Principal Investigators:

  Riggs, William

• Start Date: 20241101
• Expected Completion Date: 20250930
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Autonomous vehicles; Education; Equity; Public information programs; Sustainable transportation
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01936696
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Mineta Consortium for Equitable, Efficient, and Sustainable Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348328, ZSB12017-SJAUX
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Nov 12 2024 7:42PM