ATSSA Signal November December 2020

The Signal | November/December 2020 23 Innovation Theroadwaycancreaterain,snow,orfogon demandoverahalf-mileof theSmartRoad. Two-and-a-half hours away fromVTTI is a second road laboratory. The Virginia International Raceway, an active race- track, is used to test vehicle dynamics, develop sensors, and conduct modeling and simulations. VTTI’s research projects have influenced advanced driver assistance systems in numerous vehicles. Fromcollision avoid- ance systems that coordinate warnings andautomaticbraking topedestrianavoid- ance and cross-traffic alerts, these new features essentially augment humans’ driving capabilities. “Whenever I talk to folks about connected automated vehicle technology, I try to stress very strongly that, for VDOT, it’s not about technology for technology’s sake, it’s about using that technology to improve the way we deliver trans- portation—and safety is a top priority,” McGhee said. ‘SAVING LIVES’ With the third-largest state-maintained highway network in the country, Virginia has scores of active work zones. The challenge is keeping both workers and motorists safe within those zones. Research on one technology focuses on information VDOT can provide drivers as they travel through and around work zones, so they are aware of reduced speed limits and lane closures where workers are present. INFRASTRUCTURE—Improving durability and extending the life of transportation infrastructure Lead: Washington State Univ., Pullman, Wash. Members: Alabama A&MUniv.; Case Western Reserve Univ.; Florida Atlantic Univ.; Missouri Univ. of Science and Technology; South Dakota State Univ.; Tennes- see State Univ.; Texas A&MUniv.; Univ. of Colorado Denver; Univ. of Mississippi; Univ. of Utah Lead: Univ. of Maine, Orono, Maine Members: Univ. of Connecticut; Univ. of Massachusetts at Lowell; Univ. of Rhode Island; Univ. of Vermont; Western New England Univ. Lead: Rutgers, The State Univ. of New Jersey, Piscataway, N.J. Members: Atlantic Cape Commu- nity College; Columbia Univ.; Cornell Univ.; New Jersey Insti- tute of Technology; Polytechnic Univ. of Puerto Rico; Princeton Univ.; Rowan Univ.; State Univ. of New York, Farmingdale State College; State Univ. of New York, Univ. of Buffalo Lead: Pennsylvania State Univ., Univ. Park, Pa. Members: George Mason Univ.; Lehigh Univ.; Morgan State Univ.; Univ. of Delaware; Virginia Tech; West Virginia Univ. Lead: Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, La. Members: Arkansas State Univ.; Baton Rouge Community College; Navajo Technical Univ.; New Mexico State Univ.; Oklahoma State Univ.; Prairie View A&MUniv.; Texas A&MUniv.; Univ. of New Mexico; Univ. of Texas at Arlington; Univ. of Texas at San Antonio VTTI is conducting research funded by the Federal Transit Administration using this robot. Another study is looking at wearable tech- nologies that alert workers of potential hazards fromworksite vehicles, such as dump trucks and paving equipment— or even motorists that might veer into the work zone. When the technology is introduced, McGhee predicts there will bemeasurable results in terms of safety. BecauseVTTI researcherswork so closely with their partners out of the public eye, they get to see their work and research incorporated into vehicle design that ultimately saves lives. For the past 15 years, VTTI has worked directly on roadway improvements with USDOT tomove connected vehicle infra- structure forward. It has contributed research that has led to many of the standards established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and other organizations. “The advantage we have with the VTTI is that we can bring that very practical perspective to the table—not only for the challenges we face today, to solve these problems with human drivers on very traditionally designed roadways, but how we begin to tweak the environ- ment to be ready for what’s coming with automation,” McGhee said. “It’s a great partnership. And I think we’re doing amazing things in Virginia.”  For more information, visit vtti.vt.edu. To reach Shandra Martinez, communications@atssa.com .