EXCERPT: “Researchers at UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science are partners on a $15 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant to explore the benefits and responsible use of autonomous vehicles in rural communities where transportation services are limited. The six-year project will develop solutions to improve mobility, such as enabling nondrivers to better access health care, groceries and other amenities, and helping people without vehicles commute to work. UW-Madison leads the project. UWM’s share of the grant is $1.4 million. Only 19% of the U.S. population and a quarter of all Americans aged 65 and older reside in rural communities. Yet, 47% of all roadway fatalities occur on rural roads. Despite this, few studies exist on howautonomous vehicles (AVs) could be used to better serve rural America, said Tom Shi, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering who is UWM’s lead researcher on the grant.” FULL STORY: https://fluence-media.co/41kTPfM
