AVs are an emerging technology that will dramatically change the transportation system, potentially reducing crashes, expanding access, and promoting sustainability, safety, and efficiency. With over 41 states actively advancing AV testing, research, policy, and planning, state departments of transportation face challenges understanding what strategies and actions are needed to prepare for this evolution in emerging technology. While many states are advancing strategic plans and roadmaps, strategies vary and ideas of what it means to be implementation ready differ. 

The original Automated Vehicle (AV) Pooled Fund Study (PFS) [TPF-5(453)] started in 2020 to collaboratively coordinate funding, strategies and research to help State DOTs understand their role in this changing environment, and how to proactively prepare. Ohio DOT is the lead state to help infrastructure owner-operators develop a readiness framework and forum to engage AV industry to advance operations, identify standards, research vehicle-road interactions, support interoperability, understand how to plan for these technologies, and address DOT functional areas in investment, funding, procurement, engagement, partnerships, policy, staffing and other key areas. A total of six projects have been conducted as part of the original AV PFS on the following topics:

1. Infrastructure Owner Operator (IOO) Strategic Roadmap for Accelerated Adoption of Automated Vehicles (AVs)
2. Development and management of an IOO-Industry Forum for AV Technology Knowledge Transfer
3. Guidance for Sustainable Integration of Automated Transportation Technologies
4. Program Management for the Automated Vehicle Pooled Fund Study
5. Evaluation of Safety Perspectives, Approaches, and Needs for Testing, Deploying, and Operating Vehicles Equipped with Driving Automation Systems (Automated Vehicles) on Public Roadways
6. Regulatory Assessment for Remote Assistance and Remote Driving

AV PFS [TPF-5(453)] is entering the last year of its work. The objectives of this new pooled fund study, AV PFS Phase 2, are to continue and expand on the achievements of TPF-5(453).

To expand on the achievements of the original AV PFS, the partnering states are seeking a second phase. The AV PFS Phase 2 will be led by Ohio DOT.  The key goals of the AV PFS Phase 2 are to conduct research that supports the following items:

1. Infrastructure readiness: What infrastructure investments do DOTs need to be making to plan and prepare for AVs
2. Operations: How do AVs impact operations, traffic safety and maintenance
3. Policy frameworks: What laws and policies do states need to enact to develop clear, more uniform policy across regions to avoid a patchwork approach
4. Interstate freight and multi--modal harmonization – How can DOTs advance freight harmonization and interstate networks to support autonomous delivery
5. Workforce development: How do we skill our current and future workforce for new technologies, processes and impacts
6. Communications and engagement: How do we message this work to internal and external stakeholders and engage partners, industry and communities
7. Partnerships: How can infrastructure owner-operators (IOOs) partner with industry, researchers, communities and non-profits to plan for this unknown future
8. Strategic investment: How can IOOs make strategic investments with limited resources that plan for emerging technology and AV innovation
9. Planning: How should DOTs plan for AV technology in the short and long-term horizons How can DOTs follow trends and develop shared future scenarios
10. Industry forum: How can we develop a collaborative forum where states together can meet with AV industry to share ideas and learn about industry goals similar to the CAT Coalition’s IOO-OEM forum.

To streamline initiation of projects, the AV PFS Phase 2 will be contracted as part of ODOT’s Research-On-Call (ROC) program.  The ROC program is designed to provide direct, quick access to researchers in specific areas of expertise to conduct focused research tasks.  Typically, ROCs are executed by a consortium of research agencies and may include both academic and private consulting firms. One agency serves as the lead, receives the contract and provides a ROC Principal Investigator (PI) to coordinate all work with partnering agencies and ODOT’s Research Section.  Details on the ROC solicitation are available online until March 25, 2026 at:  2027-12 | Ohio Department of Transportation.