This week, Gov. Larry Hogan announced the release of the Maryland Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Strategic Framework.
The collective effort, led by Maryland’s CAV Working Group, included input from more than 600 responders and one-on-one stakeholder conversations spanning research and academia, for-profit and nonprofit associations, emergency responders, various levels of government, CAV-related service businesses or developers, vehicle manufacturers, and members of the public with a general interest in CAV technology.
“Connected and Automated Vehicles have the potential to significantly help us achieve our goals to improve roadway safety and increase mobility for countless communities,” Gov. Hogan said in a statement. “Maryland is calling on all state and local agencies, private and academic partners, and the public to develop implementation plans that align with CAV technology strategies in this framework.”
The framework encourages stakeholders across the state to stake a claim in CAV technology implementation for their communities, while providing a sense of direction for all of Maryland. It characterizes where Maryland stands today and offers encouragement in five key focus areas for the future—public education and outreach, planning and policy, early deployment and testing, infrastructure, and workforce development—with strategies for state and local agencies, academia, and private industry. Ultimately, the multifaceted approach lays the groundwork for integrating CAV technology safely, efficiently, and equitably.
In 2015, the Maryland DOT established the CAV Working Group as the central source of coordination for development and deployment of emerging CAV technologies in Maryland. The group evaluates the latest research, tracks federal and state laws, policies, and programs and coordinates with other agencies, organizations, and businesses to set the course for the future of automated and connected vehicles in Maryland.
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SOURCE: Maryland DOT Motor Vehicle Administration
