Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center

Robert Ferlis talks about automated highways. The pic above is a set of automated cars traveling in automated platoon arrangement in a 1997 experiment.

He talks about why highway automation may take another 30 years, from the perspective of 2007. I address each of his points.

1) "the need for protected, dedicated lanes that provide a manageable and extremely reliable environment for safe automated travel."

The question here is what prevents automated vehicles from traveling public streets.

2) " An AHS has to be designed so that it will be accepted by drivers and will be used effectively."

What drivers?

3) "The complexities of automated driving systems will require vehicle and highway systems that operate at a higher level of reliability and performance than today, and with new management and operating systems to allow that increased performance."

As in signal assist that BRT systems use today? Digital systems to follow the lane markings, computer vision that can detect pedestrian and obstacles for a thousand dollars. WiFi vehicle communications for less than $150 per vehicle.

4) "Institutional challenges are likely to include increased liability for manufacturers and owner/ operators of automated systems."

Giving robots driving tests and getting insurance companies involved.

5) "The phenomenal growth of truck traffic and the significantly different handling and operating characteristics of commercial motor vehicles present real challenges to accommodating commercial vehicle operations on an automated highway."

If a truck cannot pass the robotic driving test then stay off the automated lanes.

6) "Perhaps the greatest challenge would be the cost and deployment itself."

Share the cost with people movers, freight movers, and podcars. Then read my blog.

7) "The inherent capability of an automated highway to accommodate much more travel efficiently could encourage more travel and aggravate existing tendencies for urban sprawl"

What I plan exactly. Reduce transportation costs, revitalize suburban neighborhoods, and deliver exponential job growth.
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I will add more details on how to overcome the limitations. I have identified and will continue to identify vendors and technology. The goal is to get automated freight and people movers qualified for the diamond lanes and neighborhood streets of California. Automated driving is occuring on our highways today by the myriad of research teams working on the technology.