1. Home
  2. RIP
  3. View Record
https://www.nationalacademies.org/trb/events

Automated Vehicle (AV) Pooled Fund Study (PFS) Phase 2

Automated Vehicles (AVs) are an emerging technology that will dramatically change the transportation system, potentially reducing crashes, expanding access, and promoting sustainability, safety, and efficiency. With over 41 states actively advancing AV testing, research, policy, and planning, state departments of transportation face challenges understanding what strategies and actions are needed to prepare for this evolution in emerging technology. While many states are advancing strategic plans and roadmaps, strategies vary and ideas of what it means to be implementation ready differ. The original Automated Vehicle (AV) Pooled Fund Study (PFS) [TPF-5(453)] started in 2020 to collaboratively coordinate funding, strategies and research to help State DOTs understand their role in this changing environment, and how to proactively prepare. The objectives of this new pooled fund study, AV PFS Phase 2, are to continue and expand on the achievements of TPF-5(453). The key goals of the AV PFS Phase 2 are to conduct research that supports the following items: (1) Infrastructure readiness: What infrastructure investments do DOTs need to be making to plan and prepare for AVs; (2) Operations: How do AVs impact operations, traffic safety and maintenance; (3) Policy frameworks: What laws and policies do states need to enact to develop clear, more uniform policy across regions to avoid a patchwork approach; (4) Interstate freight and multi-modal harmonization – How can DOTs advance freight harmonization and interstate networks to support autonomous delivery; (5) Workforce development: How do we skill the current and future workforce for new technologies, processes and impacts; (6) Communications and engagement: How do we message this work to internal and external stakeholders and engage partners, industry and communities; (7) Partnerships: How can infrastructure owner-operators (IOOs) partner with industry, researchers, communities and non-profits to plan for this unknown future; (8) Strategic investment: How can IOOs make strategic investments with limited resources that plan for emerging technology and AV innovation; (9) Planning: How should DOTs plan for AV technology in the short and long-term horizons How can DOTs follow trends and develop shared future scenarios; (10) Industry forum: How can we develop a collaborative forum where states together can meet with AV industry to share ideas and learn about industry goals similar to the CAT Coalition’s IOO-OEM forum.

Language

  • English

Project

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01996411
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
  • Contract Numbers: TPF-5(579)
  • Files: RIP, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Jul 23 2026 2:52PM