The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) became the first road authority in the world to complete digitization of roads. They use the digitization for their local traffic rules and restrictions in two busy areas for highly automated vehicle (HAV) testing and deployment.
The RTC is using INRIX AV Road Rules to assign, validate and manage ‘rules of the road’ for the safe and effective deployment of HAVs on public roads where vehicles will operate. These road rules allow cities and road authorities to quickly and easily digitize their local restrictions such as speed limits, crosswalks, school zones and stop signs. This provides the data via an open API, which allows automakers and HAV operators to ensure vehicles comply with local guidelines.
“Southern Nevada is committed to staying at the forefront of advanced transportation technology testing and development, so we’re excited to partner with INRIX on this groundbreaking project that focuses on ensuring autonomous vehicles can safely navigate our streets,” said Tina Quigley, general manager, RTC. “INRIX AV Road Rules lays the foundation for piloting HAVs on public streets by facilitating access to an important dataset that road authorities are in the unique position to provide.”
The commission has made sure HAV operators have access to ground-truth and road authority-verified traffic guidelines that will assist to ensure successful operation of automated driving systems on two key areas in Las Vegas. These areas are Fremont Street, located in downtown Las Vegas. Also another area is near the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The INRIX AV Road Rules also allows cities to leverage information from HAVs to report infrastructure improvement needs like potholes, worn lane striping or missing signage, improving safety and performance for all road users.
“Automated vehicles are poised to dramatically improve mobility around the world – making vehicle travel safer, more efficient and higher quality,” said Avery Ash, head, autonomous mobility, INRIX. “Data plays a central role in the safe operation of HAVs on public roads. By leveraging INRIX AV Road Rules to digitize local traffic rules and restrictions, Southern Nevada is taking the necessary steps to ensure successful testing of HAVs.”
What makes the deployment successful? Successful deployment of HAVs goes beyond piloting on public roads. Building public understanding and acceptance of automated vehicles is also a critical step.
INRIX is a member of Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE). This is a newly formed coalition of industry, nonprofit and academic institutions who have one goal. Their shared vision is to inform and educate the public and policymakers on the impact HAVs will have on shaping the future of mobility. PAVE members include AAA, Audi of America, Daimler, INRIX, Intel, National Safety Council, NVIDA, SAE International, Toyota, Volkswagen and Waymo.
Chrissie Cluney has been a correspondent for IoT Evolution World since 2015. She holds a degree in English with a concentration in writing from the College of Saint Elizabeth.Edited by
Ken Briodagh
