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Autonomous Vehicles <br />Autonomous vehicles or <br />"self -driving cars" are defined <br />by the U.S. Department of <br />Transportation as "those in <br />which operation of the vehicle <br />occurs without direct driver <br />input to control the steering, <br />acceleration, and braking and <br />are designed so that the driver <br />is not expected to constantly <br />monitor the roadway while <br />operating in self -driving mode." <br />The Automated Shuttle Bus Pilot Project operating in winter (Source: Nor <br />MnDOT is testing an automated shuttle bus in cold -weather conditions in the winter of <br />2017, the first cold -weather conditions test of its kind in the United States. <br />Considering how quickly smartphone technology developed over the past decade, <br />and how its navigation applications are affecting the transportation network today, <br />government regulators and transportation agencies should start planning for the effects <br />of automated vehicles now. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report <br />declared that federal transportation authorities have not done enough to prepare and plan <br />for self -driving cars and trucks. The public also remains skeptical and sometimes fearful of <br />the technology based on polls and surveys. <br />While it is impossible to predict how quickly autonomous vehicles will enter the <br />marketplace, and when their use becomes ubiquitous, it is fair to conclude that this <br />technology will continue to develop and may start using the transportation network <br />alongside human drivers quicker than expected. <br />Intelligent Transporr at or Syster <br />Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are oriented to the management of large volumes <br />of traffic on regional transportation networks, such as freeway variable message signs <br />and ramp meters. However, numerous ITS technologies could be considered for local <br />applications. Some examples include: <br />Dynamic Speed Display Signs (DSDS) — These signs display the speed of approaching <br />vehicles and are used to alert motorists when they are exceeding the speed limit. These <br />generally are mobile units that can be moved from one potential problem location to <br />another. Studies suggest that these types of signs can have a significant effect on reducing <br />speeds. These signs are often used in school zones. <br />ANOKA COUNTY 2040 TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE I CHAPTER 4- FORECAST CONDITIONS <br />