{"id":41222,"date":"2021-10-08T10:36:32","date_gmt":"2021-10-08T08:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ferrovial.com\/blog\/?p=41222"},"modified":"2025-12-12T00:39:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T23:39:01","slug":"cavs-the-road-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ferrovial.com\/blog\/en\/2021\/10\/cavs-the-road-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs): The Road Ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oftentimes when\u00a0talking about self-driving\u00a0vehicles, images of a sci-fi film flash into our minds\u00a0and we start picturing these sleek, futuristic vehicles gliding through the streets\u00a0with no\u00a0one in the driver\u2019s seat. Now\u00a0this image might not be\u00a0a wide reality today, but\u00a0autonomous vehicles<\/strong> are already here\u00a0and are going to be\u00a0part of our everyday traffic\u00a0very soon.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u00a0exactly is an\u00a0autonomous\u00a0vehicle?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

By definition, there are 5 different levels of connected automated vehicles (CAV) ranging from no automation to complete automation. Of course, complete automation might not be something we see very often these days, but connected vehicles, or vehicles with some automated features, are readily available in today\u2019s market. In fact, I\u2019m sure many of us have driven a connected vehicle without even realizing it. For example, if your vehicle\u2019s steering wheel self-corrects when you accidentally veer off into the other lane or can adjust its speed while on cruise control, then you\u2019ve driven a connected vehicle. Now that\u2019s pretty cool, huh?! At this rate with technology advancing so quickly, you might find yourself in a fully automated vehicle sooner rather than later.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"automated<\/p>\n

Many leading corporations, such as Apple, Tesla, and Toyota, are investing a lot of time and resources on developing fully automated vehicles (AV). There are some reports that predict that we could see fully automated vehicles as commonplace within the next 10 years. However, some cities have already started to incorporate the use of Level 5 automation (no driver intervention) to improve mobility, and this has been quite successful. In fact, Google has a self-driving car project through their company, called <\/span>Waymo<\/span><\/a>. Waymo is based out of Phoenix, Arizona, and has launched fully autonomous taxis in Phoenix and San Francisco. It\u2019s as simple as ordering a taxi, minus the taxi driver! Another company from San Diego, California, called <\/span>TuSimple<\/span><\/a>, has 50 autonomous trucks in its fleet that, along with a human safety operator behind the wheel, transport freight for customers in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. While these advancements in mobility are definitely something to celebrate and look forward to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>expanding<\/span>, they don\u2019t come without challenges and concerns.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0road\u00a0ahead isn\u2019t\u00a0always\u00a0easy<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

In order for fully automated vehicles to hit the ground running (pun intended), there are many factors to take into consideration. Some factors include the legality and policies surrounding automated vehicles, the compatibility between AV and the existing environment, as well as the security, safety and public perception. All of these factors are equally important when it comes to the success of AV and need to be considered with great care and attention.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n