Autonomous Illinois Initiative has been Launched

The Illinois Department of Transportation has launched a new statewide, multiagency initiative to develop a testing program for connected and automated vehicles. Gov. Bruce Rauner launched the initiative a few days ago with an executive order directing IDOT to oversee Illinois, a program aimed at moving the state to the forefront in research on these emerging safety technologies.

IDOT will run the testing program that will let cars drive themselves, but still require a driver to remain behind the wheel and able to take control of the vehicle when needed. A connected vehicle is one that can wirelessly communicate with other vehicles and devices installed on streets such as sensors and traffic signals. Automated vehicles have different levels but can be self-driving with the use of sensors, cameras, GPS, and other technology.

Autonomous Illinois will connect communities interested in connected and automated vehicle testing with industry, universities, research institutions and other technology partners. IDOT and other state agencies, including the Illinois State Police, Illinois Tollway, Department of Insurance and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, will assist with the initiative.

Autonomous Illinois will work with private industry as well to determine infrastructure, data and support needs to further testing and implementation in Illinois. State of Illinois Bruce Rauner, Governor Illinois Department of Transportation Randall S. Blankenhorn, Secretary to facilitate the dialogue, IDOT has created a new Autonomous Illinois web portal at www.idot.illinois.gov/autonomous.

The collection of information during the program will be used to “promote sound public policy that fosters innovation and benefits the state and the public,” according to the executive order, which noted that more than 1,000 individuals were killed on the state’s roadways during the past two years, primarily due to human error.

Besides promoting safety, the initiative will generate an estimated $800 billion annually in economic benefits nationwide by 2050, which includes the creation of jobs, increased productivity for motorists and fuel savings. They also will help reduce the number of crashes – 94 percent of which are caused by human error – that result in more than 1,000 deaths in Illinois and a negative economic impact of $14 billion a year, according to the most recent data.

But Illinois is only the beginning. Nationally, the U.S. Department of Transportation on Oct. 4 unveiled its policy update of autonomous vehicle technology guidelines. The update emphasized safety, remaining technology neutral, modernizing regulations, encouraging consistent regulations and proactively preparing for automation.

We will continue to keep track on this topic, because it’s interesting how this will affect the Trucking Industry and the Insurance Industry as well.