AV Deployment Research and Readiness in Austin
On July 22, 2025, the Mobility Center of Excellence hosted a workshop at Austin Community College with agencies, industry, and researchers to identify research and engagement needs for accelerating emerging transportation technologies. Austin partners shared lessons from AV deployments, highlighting challenges in public safety (first responder interactions, temporary traffic control), infrastructure (need for high-quality roads), and regulation (unclear best practices, public safety expectations). Participants identified priority research needs including evidence of AV safety, standardized practices for agencies and industry, and understanding AV trip impacts. Looking ahead, discussions emphasized the importance of digital infrastructure, data gaps, and partnerships, especially as Texas advances new legislation to guide large-scale AV deployment.