The US Department of Transportation has launched a publicly accessible, online tool to improve the safety and testing transparency of automated driving systems. The online tracking tool provides data on the on-road testing of automated driving systems in 17 cities across the country, expanding the information available to the public about these vehicles, including their on-road testing and safety performance.
The tool is part of the DoT’s Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) Initiative, which was announced in June. The platform will allow participants to share testing activities related to automated driving systems and other safety-related information with the public. Online mapping tools show testing locations at the local, state and national levels, as well as testing activity data, which may include dates, frequency, vehicle counts and routes.
Currently, the tool has data on on-road testing activities in Austin, Columbus (Ohio), Dallas, Denver, Jacksonville, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. A total of 10 companies and nine states have already signed on as participants in the voluntary web pilot.
Explaining the reasoning behind the initiative, NHTSA deputy administrator James Owens said, “The more information the public has about the on-road testing of automated driving systems, the more they will understand the development of this promising technology. Automated driving systems are not yet available for sale to the public, and the AV TEST Initiative will help improve public understanding of the technology’s potential and limitations as it continues to develop.”