Approved by the Transportation Policy Committee on January 10, 2024
Approved by the Public Policy and Practice Committee on May 15, 2024
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 18, 2024

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports the planning and integration of connected and automated vehicles (CAV) as part of a unified surface transportation infrastructure system. Furthermore, the Society encourages the inclusion of features in CAV technologies that support integration within the planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance of surface transportation infrastructure systems and reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.

ASCE encourages CAV programs that will incentivize deployment of these systems to: help the nation keep pace with worldwide development; improve human safety; enhance our transportation infrastructure system and supply chain; and move people and goods efficiently and equitably.

It is recommended that industry work cooperatively with governmental agencies and commissions to establish national standards for the planning, design, deployment, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. Operating systems are needed to support CAV deployment including cybersecurity and protections for data privacy. These standards will define a protocol to guide the development of CAV systems by the private sector. They will also establish a framework for local jurisdictions which can be used in the planning, implementation, and maintenance of uniform and fully compatible infrastructure and operating systems necessary to support it.

Issue 

Multimodal congestion and safety a are continuing concerns. Deployment of CAV technologies could increase highway capacity, enhance existing transportation infrastructure, improve vehicle performance, strengthen driver safety, and create innovation opportunities.

  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) projected 42,795 motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2022. According to the 2023 NHTSA report, the economic costs of traffic crashes was nearly $340 billion in annually in 2019. 
  • According to a Human Factors for Connected Vehicles study by NHTSA, connected vehicle technologies have the potential to mitigate the crash types occurring in over 82 percent of all crashes currently being experienced where drivers are not impaired, which could save a significant number of lives and crash related injuries, and avoid tens of thousands of crashes each year.
  • Numerous technologies have been and are continuing to be developed that can improve safety and can help reduce distracted driving. Currently, there are several areas where technology can fill in the gaps of human performance and take action to improve safety and mobility. As examples:
    • Automated vehicles (AVs) and roadway infrastructure interdependence through the use of vehicle sensors, cameras, GPS, and telecommunications to obtain information in order to make decisions regarding safety critical situations and act appropriately by effectuating control at some level.
    • Vehicle to Everything (V2X) technologies are being developed and tested to prevent or mitigate crashes. V2X technologies must improve safety and increase efficiency for existing infrastructure, which will require 5G systems connectivity and spectrum band.

We must continue to ensure CAVs are a means to improve human safety and our transportation infrastructure and acknowledge it might increase vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Additionally, design factors should be considered to accommodate CAVs in surface transportation designs. 

  • Partnerships: As CAV technology continues to develop, cooperative systems must be achieved through strong partnerships between vehicles manufacturers, infrastructure owners and operators, government entities, freight transport and logistics professionals, transportation safety groups, law enforcement, first responders, and other private sector actors. 
  • Infrastructure Readiness: Our nation's transportation infrastructure system should meet the growth and demands of CAV technology and ensure it is properly implemented. A well-maintained and resilient infrastructure should be in place to accommodate new transportation technology. CAV impact on existing and proposed infrastructure should also be addressed. 

Rationale

The United States' long-term economic vitality and global competitiveness will depend on its ability to move people and goods in a safe and efficient manner. CAV technologies are rapidly evolving and investments in CAVs are encouraged as viable strategies to help increase capacity, enhance existing transportation infrastructure, and improve safety. CAVs have the potential to improve fuel efficiency, reduce traffic congestion, enhance safety, and optimize route planning. These features collectively contribute to the sustainability of transportation systems when integrated with CAV technology. 

The federal government has an instrumental role to implement policies that develop a comprehensive, national framework for compatible CAV technologies. This national framework will prevent a patchwork of individual state-deployed policies in which some pilot programs have had continued safety issues that have resulted in injuries. Ultimately, the goal is to have technology that continues to improve and better utilize our transportation infrastructure network. 

ASCE Policy Statement 548
First Approved 2016

Related policies:

PS 454 - Intelligent transportation systems
PS 564 - Broadband