Automated vehicle (AV) demonstrations are becoming more widespread, however the infrastructure changes and needs required for AVs may not be clear to transportation agencies. To help ENTERPRISE agencies prepare for future AV demonstrations and operations, this project captured insight from agencies that have conducted low-speed AV shuttle demonstrations and identified the likely impacts of AVs on infrastructure operations. Specifically, this effort focused on low-speed AV shuttles with the intent to understand whether infrastructure changes and the roles of agency and private-sector stakeholders are representative of needs and roles in future, long-term AV deployments.
Information was collected through a literature review and interviews with 12 AV deploying agencies in the United States and Canada. It was found that identified impacts to agency infrastructure and staff vary greatly depending on the use case and AV shuttle provider. The types of infrastructure changes for AV shuttle deployments include pavement markings, signage, roadside units, traffic signal timing adjustments, charging stations, secured parking areas, vegetation management, and modifications to construction schedules. The results of this project include discussion on the nature of these impacts, as well as a discussion on the reasons these impacts may be greater for some agencies than others.