Abstract
The Pennsylvania Safety Transportation and Research Track (PennSTART) and the Connected Deployment Corridor aim to revolutionize the testing and deployment of emerging transportation technologies, such as autonomous (AVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). As we navigate this transformative period in transportation, the safety of these technologies remains paramount. The proposed PennSTART Safety Standards Project, initiated in two phases, is dedicated to establishing rigorous safety protocols for testing: Phase 1) A safety plan review process for testing occurring at PennSTART and, Phase 2) A PennSTART standardized autonomous vehicle safety certification that combines federal standards/tests as well as the tests and internal standards that companies/research universities use. Safety21 (2023-2024) funding is requested for Phase 1 at the moment.
**Phase 1: PennSTART Safety Plan Review (Focus of Current Proposal)**
The immediate focus of this proposal is the development of the PennSTART Safety Plan Review. This phase is crucial as it lays the groundwork for all subsequent testing activities at PennSTART. The objective is to devise a comprehensive and standardized review process that evaluates and ensures the safety of tests proposed by PennSTART users, whether they are companies, academic institutions, or public safety entities.
Methodology:
1. Compilation of Test Scenarios: Assemble a detailed list of potential test scenarios, with an emphasis on those that might inherently carry risks.
2. Risk Assessment: Undertake a meticulous risk assessment for each test scenario to discern potential hazards.
3. Digital Twin Utilization: For scenarios with elevated risks, employ digital twins for preliminary testing, mitigating the need for immediate physical tests.
4. Safety Plan Submission and Review: Implement a structured system for users to submit their safety plans, which will then undergo a stringent review by PennSTART safety experts.
5. Approval Criteria Development: Formulate clear criteria for test approval, ensuring that proposed tests neither introduce undue safety risks nor disrupt other site activities.
**Future Considerations: Phase 2 - PennSTART Standardized AV Safety Certification**
While the immediate focus is on Phase 1, it's worth noting that the insights and data gathered will inform Phase 2. This subsequent phase aims to create a standardized AV safety certification, amalgamating federal standards with those employed by industry leaders and research institutions. The certification will serve as a benchmark for AV safety, ensuring that vehicles meet a rigorous set of criteria before deployment.
Ultimately, the Safety Review Plan and PennSTART AV Safety Certification could lead to technology deployment in the Connected Deployment Corridor project. Once a user has passed the PennSTART certification in the closed and safe PennSTART testing environment, then they could be eligible for a deployment project in the Connected Deployment Corridor. In addition, this Safety Standards Project could benefit other test tracks and the AV industry nationally as no standardized safety system currently exists for the autonomy industry.
Description
Timeline
Strategic Description / RD&T
Safety: Our project is dedicated to enhancing transportation safety for everyone. We aim to usher in an era where transportation-related injuries and fatalities are non-existent by focusing on standards that ensure the safe deployment of innovative transportation technologies.
Economic Growth: By facilitating the testing of new products, our project not only fosters company growth and job creation but also promotes transportation technologies that enhance mobility and accessibility. This aligns with the goal of bolstering an inclusive and sustainable economy, ensuring reliable access to resources, markets, and employment opportunities.
Zero Fatalities: Central to our project is the vision of a future devoid of transportation-related injuries and fatalities, emphasizing the safe deployment of emerging technologies.
Resilience: The standards we develop can contribute to a more resilient multimodal freight system, capable of withstanding and recovering from disruptions.
Equity and Accessibility: Our project resonates with the goal of diminishing inequities in transportation systems. By promoting safe and innovative transportation solutions, we aim to offer affordable, accessible, and diverse transportation options, reducing disparities and adverse community impacts.
Climate Responsibility: The safe deployment of energy-efficient transportation technologies can contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a more sustainable transportation landscape.
Connected Infrastructure: The standards we develop can support the creation of an interconnected, intelligent infrastructure, emphasizing people-centered mobility.
Equitable Mobility: Our project aligns with the vision of an equitable transportation system, ensuring all users have safe, affordable, and diverse transportation choices, and amplifying the voices of communities in transportation decisions.
Net-Zero Emissions Vision: By facilitating the safe deployment of efficient transportation technologies, our project indirectly supports the broader goal of a transportation system with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Deployment Plan
Q1:
- Initiation & Collaboration: Begin with a kickoff meeting involving all partners: RIDC, PennSTART Planning Committees, and potential PennSTART users. This will set the stage for the project, ensuring all stakeholders understand their roles and the project's objectives.
- Needs Assessment: Interview potential PennSTART users, including autonomy companies, university researchers, and public safety officials, to understand their testing needs and internal safety standards.
Q2:
- Safety Plan Framework Development: RIDC, with its expertise in tech-based economic development and regional growth, will lead the development of a preliminary safety plan framework. This will be informed by the needs assessment conducted in Q1.
- Technical Committee Engagement: Engage the PennSTART technical committee to review and refine the track design based on the safety plan framework.
Q3:
- Safety Plan Refinement: Based on feedback from the technical committee, refine the safety plan to ensure that the track design aligns with the safety standards.
- Training Committee Engagement: Begin discussions with the training committee to understand the requirements for public safety training on site.
- Digital Twin Utilization: Start the development of digital twins for high-risk test scenarios. This will be a collaborative effort involving RIDC's tech experts and CMU researchers.
Q4:
- Safety Plan Submission System: Develop a structured system for PennSTART users to submit their safety plans for review.
- Safety Plan Review: Begin the review of submitted safety plans. This will involve a collaborative effort between RIDC and the PennSTART technical committee.
- Approval Criteria Development: Formulate clear criteria for test approval, ensuring proposed tests align with safety standards and don't disrupt other site activities.
Throughout the deployment plan, RIDC will play a pivotal role in ensuring equity and tech-based economic development. Their expertise in redeveloping brownfield sites and fostering tech growth will be invaluable. The collaborative approach, involving all stakeholders, will ensure the project's success and its alignment with the broader goals of enhancing transportation safety and efficiency.
Expected Outcomes/Impacts
The project's outcomes are anticipated to have profound impacts on the transportation sector. By establishing rigorous safety protocols, PennSTART will ensure that emerging transportation technologies, such as AVs, are tested and deployed with utmost safety considerations. This will bolster public trust in these technologies, paving the way for their broader acceptance and integration. The standardized AV safety certification, informed by Phase 1 insights, will serve as a national benchmark, filling a current void in the autonomy industry. Furthermore, the project's outcomes will facilitate technology deployment in the Connected Deployment Corridor, ensuring that only rigorously tested and certified technologies are deployed. This will enhance transportation safety, reliability, and efficiency, aligning with the broader goals of the US DOT and Safety21. The project's grassroots approach to data collection, involving parents and families, will offer invaluable insights, potentially revolutionizing the way data is gathered in transportation research.
Expected Outputs
The PennSTART Safety Standards Project is poised to produce a series of pivotal outputs. Foremost among these is the establishment of a comprehensive safety plan review process, which will serve as a benchmark for testing activities at PennSTART. This process will be underpinned by a detailed compilation of potential test scenarios, risk assessments, and criteria for test approval. Additionally, the project will leverage digital twins, offering a novel approach to testing scenarios that carry inherent risks. The insights and data gathered during Phase 1 will lay the foundation for Phase 2, which aims to create a standardized AV safety certification. This certification will amalgamate federal standards with industry and academic benchmarks, serving as a national reference for AV safety.
TRID
Searching through the TRiD database, we find no records of safety standards research for testing emerging transportation technologies. Our proposed project fills this important gap. There is an emerging literature on the safe operations of autonomous vehicles. We distinguish from that literature in two ways. First, our focus is not the technical discussion of vehicle operational safety. Rather, we focus on designing policy for the testing of new technologies. Second, the standards will be evolving and cover emerging technologies such as AVs, EVs, as well as a diverse set of stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
Individuals Involved
| Email |
Name |
Affiliation |
Role |
Position |
| oliviawells@cmu.edu |
Wells, Olivia |
Carnegie Mellon Heinz College |
Other |
Staff - Business Manager |
| pyzhang@cmu.edu |
Zhang, Peter |
Carnegie Mellon University |
PI |
Faculty - Untenured, Tenure Track |
Budget
Amount of UTC Funds Awarded
$98000.00
Total Project Budget (from all funding sources)
$197391.00
Documents
| Type |
Name |
Uploaded |
| Data Management Plan |
DMP-The_PennSTART_Safety_Standards_Project.pdf |
Aug. 18, 2023, 7:02 a.m. |
| Publication |
Adjustability in Robust Linear Optimization |
April 3, 2024, 8:31 p.m. |
| Publication |
Information Basis in Dynamic Robust Optimization |
April 3, 2024, 8:31 p.m. |
| Presentation |
Distributionally robust principal-agent problems and optimality of contract menus |
April 3, 2024, 8:31 p.m. |
| Presentation |
Information basis in dynamic robust optimization |
April 3, 2024, 8:31 p.m. |
| Presentation |
Teaming up with students - Supporting NIST’s development of guidelines on red-teaming for generative AI |
April 3, 2024, 8:31 p.m. |
| Progress Report |
467_Progress_Report_2024-03-31 |
April 3, 2024, 8:32 p.m. |
Match Sources
No match sources!
Partners
| Name |
Type |
| RIDC |
Deployment & Equity Partner Deployment & Equity Partner |
