Inrix AV Road Rules Platform Connects Authorities & Operators
Connected car services and transportation analytics firm Inrix has launched AV Road Rules, a platform designed to connect transportation authorities with operators of highly autonomous vehicles (HAVs).
The system helps cities digitize local rules such as speed limits, school zones and traffic signals, and lets HAV operators report infrastructure needs, such as potholes or inadequate signage, to local transport authorities.
So far, seven cities and road authorities are on board with AV Road Rules, including Austin, Boston and Las Vegas. The platform also has a presence in the UK.
Automakers and operators slated to use AV Road Rules at launch include Jaguar Land Rover, May Mobility, Aptiv subsidiary nuTonomy, and operators running Renovo’s Aware platform.
The platform provides a standardized framework for road authorities to assign and manage rules and restrictions for roads where HAVs operate, and allow information to be shared by vehicles in operation.
The AV Road Rules platform provides static rules such as speed limits, turn restrictions, traffic directional flow, lane restrictions and geo-fencing, as well as variable rules based on time of day or day of week. This also includes an initial list of common rules and restrictions.
Inrix will manage data storage and delivery to HAV operators through APIs, while software administrators can flag actions needed by HAV operators, and confirm the local rules of the road.
The interface also offers multi-layer permissioning, authentication and audit trails for rules assignment and updates when outlining traffic rules and road restrictions.
Platform administrators will also have the ability to sort information by rule types, locations, or user, as well as view the rules on a map.
With autonomous vehicle technology developing at a rapid pace, experts are starting to debate how these cars can be regulated and made safe for US roads.
Meanwhile, a rash of accidents involving self-driving cars, most notably involving Uber and Tesla, has made an already skeptical US public even more wary of autonomous vehicle technology, according to a May poll published by AAA.
Nearly three-quarters — 73% — of US drivers reported that they would be afraid to ride in a fully self-driving vehicle, a jump up from 63% at the end of last year.
In June Inrix partnered with Information Logistics (ILog) on an emergency alert service for transportation agencies to assist with detecting and managing large-scale highway emergencies.
The Highway Emergency Link Platform (HELP) service enables agency officials to lead two-way communications with drivers when traditional communications channels won’t work.
The cloud-based service uses Inrix services for a real-time view of the roadway, including incidents, dangerous slowdowns and weather-related road conditions, and urgent safety information and updates can be sent by text messages and automated phone calls with no app required.
— Nathan Eddy is a filmmaker and freelance journalist based in Berlin. Follow him on Twitter @dropdeaded209.
