Transportation
BY HALEY MCLEOD
The University of Texas’ J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin will serve as a test track for transportation technologies such as autonomous vehicles, paving the way for improved safety. The Safety, Mobility, Autonomy, Research, and Testing Track, or SMARTTrack, is led by UT, Capital Area Metropolitan Area Planning Organization, Texas Department of Transportation and other industry leaders. SMARTTrack will be used to test emerging transportation technologies, like advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous vehicles and AI-integrated tra c cameras. The project is slated to be funded by CAMPO and TxDOT. About $33 million in grants has been applied for, but approval is pending. Travel tech to be tested in Austin
The impact
Proposed testing routes Each tier expands the testing area, gathering real- world data from implemented technologies across North Austin.
With the rise of new technologies shaping transportation and safety, it’s essential to collect real-world data in a controlled environment, said Amit Bhasin, director for the university’s Center for Transportation Research. The research team intends to analyze data for one to two years post- installation to evaluate performance and outcomes. The data can then be used to develop “blueprints” for other cities and agencies by adapting Austin’s insights for their own deployments, said Miguel Arellano, a deputy district engineer for TxDOT. “We’re talking about trying to create a system approach that our whole region can plug into, so that way you can take plans, speci cations, or standards o the shelf at Texas SMARTTrack and apply in your city, your county or on a state system,” Arellano said.
Test course for Tier 3 Test area for Tier 1 and 2*
183
MOPAC
PARMER LN.
METRIC BLVD.
360
35
183
MOPAC
N
*TEST AREAS ARE TENTATIVE
SOURCE: SMARTTRACK COMMUNITY IMPACT
19
NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
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