This project helps the Maryland Department of Transportation prepare for connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). The research team reviews CAV pilots and deployments across the United States, starting with connected vehicle testbeds in all 50 states and then autonomous vehicle deployments, with a closer look at Arizona, California and Florida. The team also supports the Maryland CAV Working Group by hosting its meetings, inviting expert speakers and demonstrators, and producing short videos that explain vehicle technology to the public. A third component pilots the Urban Flow Autonomous Wheelchair at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. The wheelchair uses technology from self-driving cars to help travelers with disabilities move through the airport on their own.
Universities Involved
Morgan State University
Principal Investigators
Mansoureh Jeihani, Mansha Swami, Ehsan Mehryaar
Expected Research Outcomes & Impacts
The project will give Maryland a national picture of how other states have deployed connected and autonomous vehicles, helping planners choose technologies that fit the state’s needs. The connected vehicle review is complete and available as a living reference page. Continued support for the Working Group keeps agencies, researchers and industry sharing what works. The wheelchair pilot aims to deliver a fully trackless autonomous wheelchair that can guide travelers from drop-off to the gate, offering a model for other airports and large facilities.
Subject Areas
Connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, accessible mobility
