For Immediate Release

Hayward, Calif – The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), in collaboration with Cal State East Bay and Bay Area LEEDS, is proud to support a hands-on, week-long residential summer camp introducing high school students to emerging technologies in the autonomous vehicle (AV) and advanced transportation industries.

This year’s program incorporates a brand-new AV curriculum designed to replicate real-world engineering challenges. Sixty-two students participated in the immersive summer camp experience held at the Cal State East Bay Hayward campus, which included a day trip to experience the technologies that CCTA is advancing at GoMentum Station, the nation’s largest secure AV testing site.

Lindy Johnson, Director of External Affairs at CCTA, said the agency is committed to AV education and workforce development. In addition to sponsoring educational opportunities for high school and college-age students, the agency also recently created the GoMentum Innovation Alliance, a collaborative initiative in which public and private organizations partners with academia and labor to drive workforce development in emerging mobility.

“Investing in our future workforce is key to keeping our region at the forefront of transportation innovation,” Johnson said. “By introducing students to autonomous systems, AI, and V2X infrastructure at such a formative stage, we’re not only inspiring future engineers, we’re helping to build a pipeline of homegrown talent ready to tackle tomorrow’s mobility challenges.”

“Our goal is several-fold,” said Dr. Farzad Shahbodaghlou, Professor and Founding Director of the Construction Management Program at CSUEB. “We want to make going to college a serious possibility for the diverse, underrepresented high school students. We also want them to consider STEM fields, specifically engineering, for college. Finally, we want to introduce them to our very own successful Construction Management and Civil Engineering programs at CSUEB and the other majors in the School of Engineering.”

Throughout the week, students explored concepts in remote automation, sensor technology, and 3D modeling, while hearing from leaders in engineering, transportation, and mobility innovation. Their experience included site tours and live demonstrations of AV technology from CCTA partners like May Mobility.

Students will culminate their experience by testing their AV prototypes on Thursday and delivering team presentations on Friday. Judges from local industry — including presenting sponsor Chevron — will evaluate the prototypes and presentation outcomes based on technical execution, problem-solving, and forward-thinking design.

CCTA’s sponsorship was made possible by proceeds from the Redefining Mobility Summit, the agency’s international transportation innovation conference held annually in San Ramon.

Location:
Cal State East Bay Hayward Campus
Valley Business & Technology Center

For more information about CCTA’s efforts to advance innovation and workforce development in Contra Costa County, visit www.ccta.net.