Today, Tampa became one step closer to driverless vehicles on Florida highways.
The Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority (THEA) voted to develop a survey on implementing autonomous vehicle technology in Hillsborough County. The study is a collaborative effort between the THEA and the University of South Florida Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR).
In the 2012 session, the Legislature approved a measure that made Florida the second state in the nation to adopt autonomous vehicle technology. Spearheading the proposal was State Sen. Jeff Brandes from St. Petersburg. Brandes is chair of the state’s Senate Transportation Committee.
“I am glad that our local community leaders are taking the bold steps to bring technology solutions to our growing community,” Brandes said in a statement.
“With projects like these,” he added, “Tampa Bay will be at the cutting edge of transportation innovation.”
Autonomous vehicles operate by sensing their surroundings using a combination of radar, GPS, and computer assisted vision. The study will examine the viability of using advanced control systems to determine appropriate guidance paths, identify obstacles and appropriate signage.
According to Jason Bittner, director of CUTR at the University of South Florida, the technology to transform transportation of people and things “is closer than we realize.”
“This project will be positioning the Tampa Bay region as leaders in preparing for the disruption that autonomous vehicles will bring to all facets of our transportation system,” Bittner said.
The $125,000 in contracts with CUTR will still require approval by the THEA general counsel.
