How is transportation infrastructure evolving with the rise of automated vehicles, advancements in vehicle technology, and the changing demand for travel? As driverless vehicles gain momentum, infrastructure operators must reimagine highways to accommodate the complexities introduced by mixing automated and traditional vehicles.
The evolution of infrastructure goes beyond laying concrete for roads and highways—it’s also about creating a digital ecosystem that enables real-time data exchange, enhances safety, and supports a transition period where automated and human-operated vehicles share the roads. Smart roads that enable vehicles to communicate with traffic infrastructure can help goods and people travel faster and safer.
The Rise of Automated Vehicles
The automated vehicle sector is rapidly advancing, with robotaxi companies increasing weekly paid rides in major cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin and Phoenix, and automated trucks already operating in Texas. As more vehicles shift toward fully driverless operations, infrastructure must evolve to support this new reality.
One way that we are preparing for this future is by evolving how data is displayed to drivers. Right now, operators provide roadside information to human-operated vehicles primarily with static messaging, such as speed limit signs and dynamic message signs, which alert drivers to upcoming lane closures, work zones, slowdowns and other information that could impact travel. Looking ahead, operators will also need to be able to supply dynamic information in real-time directly to automated vehicles to promote safe and efficient travel.
Earlier this year, Cintra, a Ferrovial company, partnered with Vanderbilt University and NextMove by Cintra to send real-time changes to speed limits and lane closures directly to drivers in their vehicles, complementing the information provided on physical signs. The future application of this solution shows great potential. The ability to communicate accurate and timely information digitally to drivers will allow people to travel more safely and quickly.
The Changing Demand for Travel
As automated driving technology advances, we expect to see increasing demands for roadway travel. Automated vehicles are expected to increase the size of the population that can feasibly travel alone, even relative to ride-hailing. And long-distance travel by car is expected to become more appealing and take some of the market share away from travel by air and train. Similarly, automated trucks are expected to take market share away from rail for long-distance freight transport.
For certain types of trips, if travelers can engage in productive activities in the car, researchers expect long travel times and congestion will be less frustrating to travelers. We foresee, however, that fast and reliable routes will continue to be critical as people will continue to value arriving in a timely manner, particularly for time-sensitive travel destinations such as to work or an appointment. Ferrovial is collaborating with researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology to measure the impacts that automated vehicles are having, and are expected to have, on travel behavior and demand for trip-making.
Looking ahead: Safer, more efficient highway infrastructure
As the future of infrastructure evolves, the goal of highway operators to provide safe and efficient roadways remains the same. Cintra, a Ferrovial company, operates more than 726 highway lane-miles across North America.
With the rise of automated vehicles and emerging driver communication innovations, our teams are actively collaborating with top universities, government agencies and industry peers to shape a safer and more efficient transportation future.
With the latest innovations, we are creating advanced connectivity and mobility solutions that ensure a modern and efficient smart transportation network for today and tomorrow.
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Watch the replay of the MIT Mobility Forum webinar featuring Jen Duthie, Head of Innovation and Research for Cintra, a Ferrovial company, and Vanderbilt University’s Prof. Dan Work: Click here
Learn more about our research partnership with Vanderbilt University: Click here
