Obstacles to the Widespread Implementation of Autonomous Vehicles in Vermont

Autonomous vehicle (AV) technology continues to progress, yet many regions face significant challenges that slow real-world deployment. Vermont provides a clear example of this problem because its rural road network, variable pavement quality, and severe winter weather affect how sensors interpret the roadway environment. Snow, fog, potholes, and non standard intersections can interfere with optical and sensor-based systems, which can reduce navigation accuracy and vehicle decision making. These obstacles demonstrate the need to understand how environmental and infrastructure conditions influence automated systems in rural settings. This project will document AV performance challenges through field observation and video recordings that capture roadway conditions and driver behavior. Researchers will categorize the effects of surface deterioration, poor markings, weather events, and irregular geometry on system reliability and object detection. The study will also evaluate opportunities for roadway design changes, sensor redundancies, and maintenance practices that can support more consistent AV operation. The findings will guide planners and engineers as they prepare for gradual adoption of automated vehicles in Vermont and other regions with similar conditions.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.umass.edu/neutc/projects/obstacles-widespread-implementation-autonomous-vehicles-vermont

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $47,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348301

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  University of Massachusetts, Amherst

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  130 Natural Resources Road
  Amherst, MA  United States  01003
• Performing Organizations:

  Norwich University

  Northfield, VT  United States  05663
• Principal Investigators:

  Cross, Michael

• Start Date: 20260101
• Expected Completion Date: 20261231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
• Subprogram: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Autonomous vehicles; Cold weather; Drivers; Implementation; Object detection; Rural areas; Sensors; Video
• Geographic Terms: Vermont
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01973937
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: New England University Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348301
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Dec 11 2025 12:58PM