US Department of Transportation

The US Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for public comment by 12 April 2017. This document proposes to establish a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) to require all new light vehicles to be capable of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, such that they will send and receive basic safety messages to and from other vehicles. The proposal contains V2V communication perfo

The US state of Ohio and the Ohio State University are funding the US$45 million Phase 1 expansion of the Transportation Research Center's (TRC) new 540-acre SMART (Smart Mobility Advanced Research and Test) Center. To to be built within the 4,500 acres of the TRC’s independent automotive testing facility and proving grounds, SMART aims to be a hub for testing of automated and autonomous vehicles, designed to enable car manufacturers and suppliers to expand their testing. Phase 1 of the expansion will in

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) and ITS America (ITSA) have commented on the inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the US, saying they look forward to working with him and his administration to implement the proposed investment in the country’s infrastructure. IBTTA executive director and CEO Patrick D. Jones said that IBTTA and the tolling industry are ready to work with President Trump and his new administration to find ways to realise the president's campaign

The US Department of Transportation (US DOT) has announced new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) guidance (link http://www.its.dot.gov/v2i.) that aims to improve safety and mobility by accelerating the deployment of V2I communication systems. The guidance complements the Department's efforts to reduce crashes by advancing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology announced in a proposed rule in December. V2I communication is an important component of a connecte

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has welcomed the US Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee’s confirmation of Elaine L. Chao as Secretary of the US Department of Transportation. During the hearing, Chao stated in her opening remarks that a challenge for the nation’s infrastructure is to, “unleash the potential for private investment in our nation’s infrastructure. As we work together to develop the details of President Trump’s infrastructure plan, it is impor

The US Department of Transportation is establishing a new advisory committee focused on automation across a number of modes. The committee, which includes leading professionals and experts, will immediately begin work on some of the most pressing and relevant matters facing transportation today, including the development and deployment of automated vehicles, and determining the needs of the Department as it continues with its relevant research, policy, and regulations. “During my time at the Department,

More than 13,000 people from about 70 countries, including policymakers, administrators, practitioners and researchers from government, industry, and academia, are expected to gather for the US Transportation Research Board (TRB) 96th Annual Meeting. The event will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, from 8-12 January and will involve more than 5,000 presentations at over 800 sessions and workshops covering all transportation modes. Approximately 130 sessions will addr

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has made a US$499 million federal grant agreement with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) to build TEX Rail, a commuter rail line between downtown Fort Worth and the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The project will link three of the region’s major activity centres and provide an alternative to travel on the area’s congested roads. The 26.8-mile commuter rail line will serve downtown Fort Worth, the City of Gra

A coalition of US automakers, highway safety advocates and intelligent transportation organizations welcome the release of the Department of Transportation's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish an interoperable platform for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications in new vehicles to provide safety and mobility benefits. Citing an enormous potential to reduce crashes on US roads, the US Department of Transportation believes the proposed rule that would advance the deployment of connected vehi

Building on the US Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) future-focused Beyond Traffic draft report outlining forthcoming trends of the next 30 years, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced a solicitation for applicants to be designated as US DOT Beyond Traffic Innovation Centers. These centres will be capable of driving solutions to the challenges identified in Beyond Traffic through research, curriculum, outreach, and other activities. Some of the challenges outlined include 45 per cent