WisDOT automated vehicle advisory committee explores potential benefits of telematics

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on Thursday hosted the fall meeting of the Wisconsin Automated Vehicle External (WAVE) Advisory Committee, an industry stakeholder group that advises the department on emerging vehicle technologies.

The committee’s discussions focused on the potential safety impacts of vehicle telematic data on Wisconsin’s transportation system. Telematic data is available from many modern vehicles to record location, speed, tire pressure, seat belt use, idling time, fuel consumption and other functions.

Data collected through a telematics device can help a business improve safety and efficiency in its vehicle fleet. Vehicle telematic data can also better inform local agencies on traffic incident response needs. In a snowstorm, for example, recognizing areas where vehicles are slowing down, turning on their wipers, or changing lanes can help get snowplows or crash teams out to respond, improving safety and reducing traffic congestion.

Telematics data also has the potential to help WisDOT improve crash analysis and identify intersections, highways or other areas where there are greater safety risks. WisDOT already uses data such as crash statistics, traffic counts, camera feeds, shared data with public safety agencies and more to develop a safer transportation system. However, leveraging telematics data could further help identify locations to prioritize engineering solutions to improve safety. When considering the potential safety applications of vehicle telematics, data aggregators and policymakers prioritize privacy by making trip data anonymous.

“WisDOT is committed to exploring emerging technologies that will help us develop a safe and efficient transportation system for the 21st century,” Lea Collins-Worachek, administrator of WisDOT’s Division of Budget and Strategic Initiatives, said. “Vehicle telematics is a promising tool that has the potential to revolutionize so many aspects of our work, but we must ensure we’re using it wisely. The WAVE Advisory Committee will help us determine solutions for Wisconsin, and how we can integrate this data into our work while also protecting the privacy of our road users.”

The WAVE Advisory Committee meeting involved presentations from technical and privacy experts and tabletop discussions on how telematics could impact various transportation stakeholder groups. WAVE members include representation from 40 stakeholder groups, including nonprofit organizations, industry professionals, academics, lawmakers, and state, local and federal agency representatives.

The WAVE Advisory Committee formed in 2020 and meets twice a year to provide WisDOT with insight into how innovations in Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies can benefit and impact Wisconsin’s transportation system.

CAV technology is designed to improve safety and reduce the risks of human errors that lead to crashes. Connected Vehicles (CVs) communicate with other CVs, infrastructure and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. An example of a CV technology is adaptive traffic light controls for emergency vehicles.

Automated Vehicles (AVs) use cameras and sensors to perform some driving functions, such as steering and braking, to avoid crashes. Many of these driver assist technologies are currently installed in newer vehicles, but Wisconsin state law currently requires an operator to be behind the wheel and in physical control of a vehicle at all times while driving on Wisconsin roadways.

Learn more about WisDOT’s CAV program on the WisDOT website.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.