Federal Transit Administration

Cooperative Driving Automation

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is supporting U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) efforts to facilitate a new era of transportation innovation and safety through the CARMA Program. The CARMA Program is advancing the research and development of cooperative driving automation (CDA) concepts for deployment in existing transportation systems. CDA supports and enables automated vehicles to cooperate through communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and other road users (including pedestrians, cyclists, and micromobility users). An area explored under the CARMA Program’s traffic research track is the scope of CDA’s impact to recurring traffic congestion on freeways and arterials.

Street Car

In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO), FTA is using CARMA open source software to develop and test CDA systems that improve traffic flows by reducing recurring congestion at traffic signals, intersections, and bottleneck areas. This research will demonstrate how CDA can significantly enhance conventional transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) strategies and existing infrastructure for basic travel at intersections and corridors. In addition, studies will demonstrate how the deployment of CDA in transportation systems can contribute to reduced energy consumption and enhanced safety on roadways.

Smart Bus

Learn more about FTA’ innovation research at https://www.transit.dot.gov/automation-research .