various images of LTAP work throughout the state

Louisiana CAV Efforts

Agency Planning, Procedures, and Activities
LaDOTD: CAV Technology Team [On-going] — An internal LaDOTD task force charged with developing/maintaining working knowledge of CAV technology, determining state and local roles, formulating policy, and identifying CAV applications to adopt. Currently preparing a “CAV Strategic Plan” and “CAV Action Plan”.
LaDOTD: First CV Deployment [2020] — Involves implementing five DSRC units along Arline Hwy in Baton Rouge that provide live SPaT data to drivers.


Policy and Legislation
Act No. 310: Provides Relative to Vehicle Platooning [2018] — Allows for operation of V2V-based platooning on Louisiana roadways and defines requirements.
Act No. 232: Provides Relative to Autonomous Commercial Motor Vehicles [2019] — Allows operation of autonomous commercial motor vehicles without a driver present and defines requirements.


Research
LTRC: Investigation into Legislative Action Needed to Accommodate the Future Safe Operation of Autonomous Vehicles in the State of Louisiana [2016] — Includes a synopsis of AV legislation across the U.S., summarizes current issues involving legislation, and recommends legislative actions to be taken by Louisiana.
LTRC: Development of a Simulation Test Bed for Connected Vehicles using the LSU Driving Simulator[2018] — Develops test bed for CV applications using the driving simulator at LSU, specifically a mechanism to receive in-vehicle warning messages based on the time-to-collision between virtual and simulator vehicles.
LSU: Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (AMS) Case Studies of Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Implementations Specific to the South-Central Region [On-going] — Conducts a variety of technical tasks to assist LaDOTD’s “CAV Technology Team”, including: conducting a broad stakeholder survey to inform engagement activities, a crash analysis on select CAV case studies, and a small-scale AMS CAV case study.

Connected and Automated Vehicles: Resources to Assist Local Agency Preparation

Resources last updated 12/18/2020

Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) offer potentially transformative and far-reaching impacts to the transportation system—and other associated, reliant fields. This may include impacts to safety, congestion, personal mobility, land use, socio-economic characteristics, and the economy. However, realized benefits will be directly tied to how well public agencies prepare for these emerging technologies. Ideally, agencies interested in implementing CAV technology should consider the following:

  • Gaining Knowledge of the Technology and Infrastructure Requirements: this includes basic understanding of the physical CAV hardware, operational limitations, adoption timeline, and infrastructure required to support field deployment. Infrastructure needs may range from CV-based equipment to less obvious requirements for safe AV operation (e.g., consistent, well-maintained lane striping).
  • Assessing Potential of CAV Deployment: although significant uncertainties exist, it is important for agencies to assess whether CAV implementations are practical and address their unique needs. There are many possible applications of CAV technology in both urban and rural settings.
  • Identifying and Pursuing Preparatory Actions: supporting local CAV deployment can take many forms: updating internal planning documents, policies, and procedures, legislation, financial investment, updating communication infrastructure, engaging potential partners, etc. If possible, being involved in existing initiatives (such as LaDOTD's CAV planning efforts) is also suggested.

It is clear preparing for CAVs is a challenging task. LTAP has created the following list of curated resources to assist local agencies in preparing for CAV technology. The collection is not meant to be exhaustive, but to provide key resources to initially inform and assist local agencies in their own preparatory efforts. The list will be continually updated.

The main CAV-related efforts in Louisiana are also summarized and categorized by legislative, administrative, and research activities. This list will also be continually tracked and updated.

Items in bold are linked to the resources. List items marked with (***) and in green are noted as especially useful resources.

If you have questions, feedback, or would like to learn more about this topic, please e-mail Christopher.Melson@la.gov.



Gaining Knowledge of the Technology and Infrastructure Requirements

Click on the tabs below to see list of corresponding resources.



Assessing Potential of CAV Deployment

Click on the tabs below to see see list of corresponding resources.



Identifying and Pursuing Preparatory Actions

Click on the tabs below to see list of corresponding resources.


Read the following article from the Winter 2020-21 issue of Technology Exchange:

Connected and Automated Vehicles: Resources to Assist Local Agency Preparation