How, exactly, could autonomous vehicle technology improve public transportation? It’s a fundamental question, but a surprisingly difficult one to answer. To date, most transit pilots of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) have been demonstration projects, usually designed to introduce residents to new technology or test its technical capabilities. Such demonstration projects can leave a transit rider scratching his head, wondering whether CAVs could actually affect their own journeys.
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and STEER Tech — a CAV startup that I lead as CEO — wanted to see if we could help provide an answer. Over the last two years, we have partnered on a research initiative conducted at two commuter rail stations in suburban Maryland. To the best of our knowledge, this the first project in the United States to examine the potential impact of CAV technology on commuter rail.
