Exhibit D - Research Project Requirement: PDF Link

Project Summary: This project aims to accelerate the deployment of automated vehicle (AV) technologies by assessing rural road infrastructure readiness. The project will utilize commercial AV with advanced driver assistance systems and lab AV with automated driving systems to collect data on physical infrastructure and digital infrastructure under varying conditions such as diverse road types, weather, and lighting. Sensors such as cameras, GPS, and 5G communication modules will be used for data collection in selected testing facilities and public roads in Georgia and North Carolina. The project will also develop a software tool that processes collected data using traditional algorithms and machine learning techniques. This tool will generate detailed summary reports and visualizations, enabling stakeholders to quantify infrastructure readiness, understand deficiencies, and prioritize areas for improvement. The goal is to identify specific infrastructure challenges limiting automated vehicle performance and propose guidelines and actionable strategies to enhance compatibility. This project will inform investment and policy decisions by delivering findings from targeted rural areas.