The University of California, Berkeley's Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology (PATH) has received a $10 million, six-year project grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Rural Autonomous Vehicle Program. This funding will facilitate the development and deployment of innovative autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies to improve freight logistics in rural and Tribal communities.
The project, ACCEL-RT: Autonomous Cargo Carriers for Enhanced Logistics in Rural and Tribal Areas, will concentrate on the I-40 corridor that runs through Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. It seeks to tackle significant transportation challenges by creating sustainable and scalable AV solutions, engaging directly with underserved communities, and promoting workforce development in these areas.
The initiative brings together an interdisciplinary team led by Scott Moura, CEE Professor and Director of PATH, with James Fishelson, PATH Executive Director, acting as the Program Manager. Collaborators include Global Logistic Development Partners (GLDP), the University of New Mexico, the University of Oklahoma, and Mohave Community College.
Key objectives of ACCEL-RT include:
- Community Engagement: Establishing trust and partnerships with rural and Tribal stakeholders to ensure the technology meets local needs and concerns.
- Workforce Development: Offering training and educational opportunities to prepare the workforce for high-tech logistics and AV operations.
- Sustainable, Scalable Solutions: Creating AV freight systems that are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and adaptable to various rural contexts.
"Our current transportation infrastructure does not adequately serve rural and Tribal communities. Challenges range from overwhelming truck congestion to medical supply & equipment accessibility," said Professor Moura. "ACCEL-RT will apply the toolbox of automation technologies to resolve these challenges through a technology development pipeline that pushes R&D to deployment within the communities."
The USDOT's Rural Autonomous Vehicle Program, announced earlier this month, emphasizes the federal commitment to supporting underserved rural and Tribal communities and advancing automation technologies that can significantly impact them. PATH and its partners are positioned to make substantial progress in enhancing supply chain resilience and economic opportunities in rural America through this program.
Visit PATH's website for more information about ACCEL-RT and other PATH initiatives. For partnership inquiries, please get in touch with Justin Wiley at jwiley@berkeley.edu.