Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

ODOT Keeping Driverless Vehicles In Mind During Construction Projects

Martial Red/SHUTTERSTOCK

We are likely still a generation away from seeing self-driving cars as the main mode of transportation. But for the Ohio Department of Transportation, the future is now.

Going forward, when ODOT carries out a road construction project, the agency will now be looking at ways to make sure the road can accommodate automated vehicle technology in the future.

Jim Barna with ODOT says having roads ready for self-driving cars will be an asset for Ohio’s growing urban areas.

“We can’t build our way out of congestion anymore it’s just too expensive we can’t just keep adding pavement to every facility we think this technology may give us the additional capacity without having to add the pavement. So basically we’re looking at a much more reliable way of moving cars and trucks from point A to point B.”

This mindset is part of Drive Ohio, a collaboration among state departments meant to be a one-stop-shop for automated driving development in the state.

Copyright 2017 The Statehouse News Bureau

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.