Contra Costa Transportation Authority Wins $7.5 Million USDOT Grant for Automated Driving Systems Pilot Program

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Contact Information

Linsey Willis

Director of External Affairs

(925) 256-4728

 lwillis@ccta.net

Issued By

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WALNUT CREEK, CA – The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) announced today that it has been awarded a $7.5 million grant from the U. S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to support a four-year Automated Driving System (ADS) pilot program for three “real-world” demonstration projects. The program was designed in collaboration with the American Automobile Association of Northern California, Nevada and Utah (AAA NCNU), County Connection, Advanced Mobility Group, and other public and private sector partnerships.

“This important grant is exciting news for Bay Area communities and for American innovation, enabling key initiatives that will pave the way for new mobility options and transportation benefits for underserved communities in our great state,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “Building on previous autonomous vehicle testing advancements at Contra Costa Transportation Authority, these federal investments for vitally-needed data will be critical in developing strong safety performance metrics, which must be at the forefront of autonomous vehicle testing and integration.”

CCTA will share data from the three demonstration projects with the USDOT. The projects include: shared autonomous transportation for a Walnut Creek senior community; autonomous vehicle shuttle service with a self-docking wheelchair apparatus for patients at County Hospital in Martinez; and the preparation of the Interstate 680 corridor for future connected autonomous vehicles.

“I am proud to have worked with CCTA to secure this grant funding.” said Representative Mark Desaulnier.

“The ADS program is based on the actual needs and concerns of the community searching for solutions to mobility challenges,” said Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) Executive Director Randell Iwasaki. “We need to integrate advanced technologies, innovative solutions, new partnerships and creative ideas to support the next generation of mobility.”

The ADS program builds on the success of CCTA’s Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Program. As cofounder of GoMentum Station – one of the nation’s largest secure testing facilities for connected and automated vehicle technology – CCTA and its partners have successfully advanced automation to improve vehicle safety and address challenges related to the safe integration of automated driving systems.

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PROJECT 1 – Rossmoor First Mile/Last Mile Shared Autonomous Vehicles, Walnut Creek, Calif.  Increase transit accessibility for the elderly community using shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs). Data gathered will be used to develop safety performance measures.

PROJECT 2 – County Hospital, Accessible Transportation, Martinez, Calif. Provide on-demand, wheelchair accessible, autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle service to people who don’t have transportation. Gather data to develop safety performance measures and to provide accessible transportation to public health facilities, improving quality of life and medical appointment absenteeism.

PROJECT 3 – Personal Mobility on I-680 Corridor, Contra Costa County, Calif. Prepare the corridor for future Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV). Install new and upgraded vehicle-to- infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technologies such as DSRC and 4G/5G communications, to accommodate both CAV technology and implementation of innovative operational strategies.

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About The Contra Costa Transportation Authority

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.