BY KATY MCAFEE
What's next?
The why
29
Autonomous vehicle companies Aurora and Gatik are also poised to join the race to go driverless by the end of the year, focusing on routes in Dallas and Houston. Aurora representatives said they have longer-term plans to expand to Central Texas. To accommodate the influx of driverless semis in the Austin-area, the Texas Department of Transportation has a plan to establish a "smart corridor" on SH 130 from Georgetown through Del Valle. The stretch will be equipped with sensors and cameras to help the vehicles navigate road conditions and hazards, according to road technology company Cavnue. “SH 130 is one of many advanced toll roads in Texas with several technologies already like fiber, cellular, cameras and tolling facilities,” said Darran Anderson, TxDOT’s director of strategy and innovation. Details on when the smart corridor will officially launch have not been announced.
Georgetown
Texas roads have been ideal for autonomous trucking companies to launch new technology, Goff said, as the state has some of the most lucra- tive freight routes in the nation and legislators have welcomed the new innovation. The supportive culture sprouted from Senate Bill 2205, a law passed by the Texas Legislature in 2017 that prohibits cities from regulating autono- mous vehicles due to their economic potential. While self-driving semis have not received much push back in the more than two years they’ve been on the road, the bill allowed autono- mous passenger vehicles to pilot new technology which has garnered more attention from locals. Autonomous vehicle company Cruise launched over 100 self-driving taxis in Austin for just over a year before pausing operations last October due to safety concerns and public complaints. However, Waymo’s self-driving Jaguars are rolling through Austin’s streets as of March 6.
35
183
79
Hutto
Round Rock
45 TOLL
Smart Corridor Technology along SH 130 will assist navigation of autonomous trucks.
130 TOLL
290
Manor
MOPAC
183
Austin
Del Valle
71
35
Buda
45 TOLL
N
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/ CAVNUE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Quickbooks and Grant Workshop funded through an agreement with the City of San Marcos
Business & Entrepreneurship Workshops - Now until June 2024
PRESENTED BY RIPARIOUS FOUNDATION
• QuickBooks ProAdviser Business Support • Fund Your Business with Grants • Entrepreneurship Boot Camp
Boot Camp Support andFunding Provided by
Hello, Neighbor!
2255 Kohlers Crossing Suite 300, Kyle, TX 78640
(512) 910-2704 Monday-Friday
10am-6pm, Saturdays 10am-4pm.
310 Stagecoach Trail #100B San Marcos, TX 78666 CALL 512-396-CPA1
TAX SERVICES• SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTING PAYROLL• QUICKBOOKS CONSULTING www.jdacpa1.com
21
SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook