Vision for CAV in Maryland
Maryland’s Vision for Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) is to uphold and enhance a Safe, Efficient, and Equitable transportation future by delivering collaborative and leading-edge CAV solutions. Maryland is open for business and eager to realize the life-saving and economic benefits of CAV technology, while ensuring safety for all. We are embracing CAV technology and innovation through continuing collaboration with partners interested in researching, testing, and implementing CAVs in Maryland.
Maryland CAV Strategic Framework
In the Fall of 2020, the Maryland CAV Working Group undertook an effort to develop a statewide Maryland CAV Strategic Framework through broad stakeholder input (over 600+ responses) and a public comment period (150+ comments). This document presents a strategic framework for Maryland that is meant to inform, guide, and empower stakeholders to build their own implementation plans for CAV within their work and life environments. Maryland is making a call to action to all State and local agencies, private and academic partners, and the public to create implementation plans that align CAV technology strategies with this Framework and result in improved end-to-end mobility through continued collaboration. Click here to read the Framework or for an abbreviated one pager click here.
The Maryland CAV Working Group, led by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), in close coordination with the Maryland Department of Planning, held a series of local governmentwebinars in June 2021 to share knowledge of the Maryland CAV Strategic Framework. Webinar information is available here: the full presentation, and the CAV Toolkit.MDOT CAV 2021 Accomplishments are now available.
Actions in Maryland on Automated Vehicles
Self-driving vehicles have the potential to transform how we live and work – to save lives by reducing traffic crashes, as well as providing more travel options for people who are not able to drive. While Maryland is open for business and eager to realize the life-saving and economic benefits of this innovative technology, the safety of all who travel our roadways comes first. Many vehicles already on the road have automated features. Cruise control is an automated feature that has been around more than 50 years; some modern cruise control systems can automatically speed up and slow down your car to keep a set following distance relative to the car ahead for auto stop and go in traffic jams. Other automated features include lane departure warning, traction control, parking assist, and collision alerts. To prepare for this changing transportation landscape, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and many partners are working together to ensure the safety of all roadway users as we move toward the future of transportation.
Collaboration on CAV Research, Testing & Implementation in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recognizes the numerous safety and mobility benefits that automated driving systems represent and may offer to the citizens of our State. MDOT is embracing CAV technology and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with companies that are interested in researching, testing, and supporting CAVs in Maryland and encourages those entities to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) direct from this page. Begin the discussion by clicking here to complete an EOI. This one-stop point of entry opens the door to actively engage in communication and coordination within MDOT and other applicable contacts.
For those entities with plans to test highly automated vehicles (HAV) in Maryland, MDOT will help you through the HAV permit process. Entities’ requests, requirements, and timing can be identified during the follow-up dialogue after submission of an EOI. MDOT realizes each testing scenario is unique, and we are ready and willing to work with organizations interested in collaborating on connected and automated vehicle technology to better understand the needs of the entity and to help ensure safety is prioritized.
Maryland Locations to Enable Testing Sites (LETS) for CAV
Explore sites in Maryland that offer opportunities to test connected and automated vehicle technologies and be informed on where connected vehicle road-side units are actively pushing out safety messages! These sites offer a variety of testing scenarios and conditions put together by MDOT and its partners.
Maryland Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) Working Group(see Charter)
In 2015, Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn established the Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) Working Group as the central point of coordination for the development and deployment of emerging CAV technologies in Maryland. The Working Group handles strategic planning for MDOT concerning connected and automated vehicles. The group includes a diverse membership of transportation stakeholders, including elected officials, state and local agency representatives, highway safety organizations, representatives from the private sector and automotive industry. The group evaluates the latest research, tracks federal and state laws, policies and programs, and coordinates with other agencies, organizations and businesses to set the course for the future of automated and connected vehicles in Maryland.
CAV Emergency Responder SubGroup
A subgroup comprised of personnel representing operational specialties such as Police, Fire/Rescue/EMS, and Highway Safety Service Patrols. This subgroup will meet as needed to discuss issues emergency responders will encounter related to CAV operations. The sub-group will advise on functionality of CAVs and the creation of necessary training for emergency responders to assist in achieving their mission.
CAV Freight SubGroup
A subgroup of representatives from the Working Group will meet as needed to further discuss CAV freight issues, and to coordinate and command CAV freight opportunities in Maryland, with specific emphasis on potential for truck platooning. This subgroup is comprised of agency personnel representing the different MDOT transportation business units (TBU’s), Maryland State Police and interested organizations from the Working Group.
CAV Policy SubGroup
A subgroup of representatives from the Working Group will meet as needed to further discuss policy and legislative issues, and to oversee development and maintenance of the processes and policies for test permitting on Maryland owned infrastructure. This subgroup is comprised of agency personnel representing the different MDOT transportation business units (TBU’s), Maryland State Police and interested organizations from the Working Group.
CAV Technical SubGroup
A subgroup of representatives from the Working Group will meet as needed to further discuss technical and operational issues, and to oversee the actual testing of HAV’s on Maryland owned infrastructure. This subgroup is comprised of agency personnel representing the different MDOT TBU’s and Maryland State Police.
The CAV Working Group can assign tasks to the SubGroups, as appropriate, in order to facilitate action on open issues, concerns, or ideas.
