Safely Operating ADS Scenarios

This website has been developed to support the dissemination of data generated during the process of conducting the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute's Safely Operating Automated Driving Systems (ADS) in Challenging Scenarios ADS Demonstration Grant project. The research was led by VTTI and the demonstration team included representatives of OEMs [through Crash Avoidance Metrics Partners (CAMP), LLC], IOOs [the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban North America], and the Center for Automotive Performance Simulation (GCAPS)]. The primary objective of this research project is to demonstrate how ADS-equipped vehicles can interact safely in challenging dynamic scenarios, such as encounters with public safety providers and other public services. These demonstrations are the result of significant collaboration between automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), public safety service providers, Infrastructure Owner Operators (IOOs), and academic ADS developers to identify challenging scenarios, identify technological solutions, and conduct demonstrations for stakeholders to support safety analysis, development of industry standards, and possible rulemaking. This project identified and defined key dynamic scenarios, developed technological concepts for safe interactions of ADS-equipped vehicles in these scenarios, and demonstrated the solutions live on the I-395/I-95 Express Lanes corridor operated by Transurban and the Virginia Smart Roads operated by VTTI in Blacksburg, VA. The I-395 Express Lanes corridor was optimized for automation through the integration of applications that exchange data with Transurban's Traffic Operations Center (TOC).