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Test cities for automated vehicles... coming to a town near you?

Test Cities

Test cities for automated vehicles... coming to a town near you?

AUTOS REVOLUTION

“IT SEEMS AN AUTOS REVOLUTION IS UPON US.”

—Consumer Reports April 2017 From Arizona to Massachusetts, the move toward fully automated vehicles is picking up speed. Since 2012, no fewer than 41 states and the District of Columbia have considered laws pertaining to fully automated vehicles on roadways. At least 13 states have ratified some sort of legislation: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia—and Washington D.C. Governors in Massachusetts and Arizona have issued executive orders encouraging testing on their roads with extensive programs already underway. Why are states so interested? Are fully automated vehicles going viral? Politicians, researchers and business leaders hope to earn the mantle of “early adopter” attracting research and investment to their region. It could put them on the map. Another major motivator is reducing crashes and traffic deaths:
  • 94 percent of traffic crashes are the result of human error. Computer controlled cars using Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) could greatly reduce crashes. ADAS is the suite of technologies that are today’s stepping stones to automated vehicles.
  • When cutting-edge vehicles or new transportation models (e.g. rideshare, car share, etc) roll into town, governments want to make sure their cities are safe for traditional and automated vehicles alike.
For a worldwide map of autonomous vehicle test cities, visit https://avsincities.bloomberg.org/.

Silicon Valley of Firsts

If any place could be crowned the birthplace of “automated vehicles,” it would be Silicon Valley in California. Home to Apple, Google’s Waymo (now Alphabet), Intel, NVIDIA and Tesla, just to name a few, this high-tech, venture capital hub is 45 miles south of the San Francisco Bay Area. California has had some of the first legislation for testing automated vehicles with safety drivers behind the wheel. It is not uncommon to see cars throughout California adorned with cameras and radar devices roaming the streets. California has legislated that these test miles must be conducted with an approved safety pilot behind the traditional “driver’s wheel” of the vehicle. You can find more information about California’s legislation here: www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/autonomous/auto    

Rust Belt Getting New Luster

In 2015, Uber ventured out of its Silicon Valley comfort zone, landing in Pittsburgh to set up the Advanced Technologies Center at Carnegie Mellon University. Pittsburgh offered an environment that the Bay Area could not: snowy weather. PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, has been given broad authority to administer the Automated Vehicle Testing Policy. PennDOT requires the proper onboard technology and a driver must be sitting behind the wheel, ready to intervene if necessary. Of course, the driver still must perform the human-to-human, ride-sharing customer interface function. Detroit, with its long automotive history, also is leading major efforts in automated vehicle research and development. According to Wired Magazine (April 2017), Ford and GM operations in Michigan have made major advancements – giving Silicon Valley companies a run for their money.  

10 Cities Designated as Official Test Cities

In January 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation designated 10 proving ground pilot sites for the testing of automated vehicles. The 10 out of 60 applicants were selected for their unique attributes, preparedness for higher levels of testing and previous infrastructure. More at: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot1717. Former U.S. DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx says this designation will encourage cities to openly share best practices while accelerating the pace of safe deployment. One such test site is the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids corridor. Home to The University of Iowa, this area is known for its state-of-the-art vehicle safety research, including the world renowned National Advanced Driving Simulator. The state is in the process of creating high-definition road maps that will guide automated vehicles and possibly attract other researchers to the area. The Iowa City region also offers diverse driving landscapes and wide ranging weather conditions. Below are the other sites that were selected.
  1. City of Pittsburgh and the Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute
  2. Texas AV Proving Grounds Partnership
  3. U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center
  4. American Center for Mobility (ACM) at Willow Run
  5. Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) & GoMentum Station
  6. San Diego Association of Governments
  7. University of Wisconsin-Madison
  8. Central Florida Automated Vehicle Partners
  9. North Carolina Turnpike Authority
“When are you going to see a robot on Interstate 80? That is, I think, a very long-range future,” says Dan McGehee, director of the National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa.

Arizona Rolls Out the Red Carpet

In 2015, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey created the Arizona Self-Driving Vehicle Oversight Committee. The Phoenix area is buzzing with automated vehicle pilot projects. Google cars are plying the streets of Chandler and Ahwatukee testing how automated vehicles perform in punishing sun, heat and dust storms. The University of Arizona in Tucson is partnering with Uber while the people-mover company Local Motors is testing an automated shuttle bus named Olli. 

MASSACHUSETTS COMMITS BRAIN POWER

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s Executive Order 572 in October 2016 established the AV Working Group to formulate a policy for testing automated vehicles in Massachusetts. The Memorandum of Understanding requires that automated vehicles be “operated without undue risk to public safety, and at all times will have a human being inside the vehicle while it is traveling.” While automated vehicles are not yet cruising Massachusetts, the state’s deep bench in research and academia has attracted billions of dollars for development. MIT, Olin College and UMass Amherst are in the forefront of the tech boom. NextDroid Labs, nuTonomy, Autoliv Electronics and Amazon Robotics are high-flying local tech companies racing to create intelligent, decision-making systems for automated vehicles. A five-year, $1 billion grant from Toyota is being split between Palo Alto, CA, and Cambridge, MA.  Some researchers and car makers feel the next big hurdle is to create 3D maps of all the nation’s roads. Maybe you can help? Some hope to gather the mapping data through crowd sourcing by using data taken from onboard cameras already installed. Consumer Reports asserts that “some of the gnarliest issues still must be solved,” such as perfecting sensors that can see in all conditions, and that liability and ethical questions are in the early stages of discussion.  ADOT.COM 10/17/16  Shira Schoenberg – The Republican/ MassLive.com.
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Ford Ranger Tremor XLT / Lariat

NEW FORD RANGER TREMOR OFF-ROAD PACKAGE CREATES MOST OFF-ROAD-CAPABLE FACTORY-BUILT RANGER EVER FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS

New Tremor Off-Road Package available on 2021 Ranger creates the most off-road-ready factory-built Ranger ever offered in the U.S., adding a new level of all-terrain capability without sacrificing the everyday drivability, payload and towing capacity Ranger owners expect. New Tremor Off-Road Package available on 2021 Ranger creates the most off-road-ready factory-built Ranger ever offered in the U.S., adding a new level of all-terrain capability without sacrificing the everyday drivability, payload and towing capacity Ranger owners expect Ranger Tremor features a lifted suspension with off-road tuned FOX ™ 2.0 monotube dampers and rear piggyback reservoirs, specially tuned front coilover and rear leaf springs, 32-inch Continental General Grabber ™ all-terrain tires and six-switch auxiliary power pack to manage accessories including winches, light bars and air compressors Thanks to its General Grabber tires and new wheel lips, Ranger Tremor has a 1-inch wider stance; it features Magnetic-painted wheels, hoop-style steps, rear recovery hooks, painted grille, and optional hood and body graphics, plus package-exclusive seats with Miko suede inserts and black interior accents DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 14, 2020 – Ford today answers the call of Ranger customers asking for an even more off-road-capable and agile Built Ford Tough midsize truck, revealing the new available Tremor Off-Road Package designed to help owners tackle even rougher off-road terrain without compromising Ranger’s payload and tow ratings. 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor goes beyond today’s already-capable FX4 Off-Road Package, making it the most off-road-capable factory-built Ranger ever offered in the U.S. “Tremor gives Ranger customers a new level of off-road confidence and fun,” said Chad Callander, Ford Ranger marketing manager. “With increased ground clearance, off-road tuned suspension and aggressive Continental General Grabber tires, Tremor elevates Ranger’s off-roading capability even further while keeping the unique advantages that come with a cargo box for hauling gear anywhere.” Tremor starts with a lifted suspension, redesigned front knuckles and 32-inch Continental General Grabber ™ A/TX all-terrain tires on new 17-inch Magnetic-painted wheels that combine to deliver 9.7 inches of ground clearance – 0.8 inches more than the base Ranger SuperCrew 4x4. FOX ™ 2.0 monotube dampers with rear piggyback reservoirs and hydraulic rebound stops are tuned for a comfortable ride on pavement while offering control over severe terrain.  The shocks are specially tuned with progressive rebound end zone damping to support vehicle control where the pavement ends. Front and rear springs are tuned for greater off-road composure. A multi-leaf rear spring setup enables increased wheel travel. Anti-roll bar stiffness has been reduced to minimize disruption over rough terrain and improve comfort off-road. Tremor boosts Ranger’s off-road metrics, including a 30.9-degree approach angle, up 2.2 degrees from the base SuperCrew 4x4, a 25.5-degree departure angle, which is up 0.1 degrees and a 24.2-degree breakover angle, up 2.7 degrees. Compared to base Ranger, front suspension travel increases to 6.5 inches. Rear suspension travel increases to 8.1 inches. Together, these improvements mean customers can confidently tackle more challenging terrain on their way to their next epic destination. Ranger Tremor includes a frame-mounted steel front bash plate and underbody skid plates, rear locking differential, Terrain Management System ™ with four distinct drive modes and Trail Control ™. Tremor’s traction control system is recalibrated for improved acceleration and traction in gravel, so customers can punch it in a washout with gusto. Ranger Tremor comes with two new recovery hooks in the rear, in addition to the two up front. It takes a wider profile thanks to the Tremor-specific General Grabber all-terrain tires, wheels and wider wheel lip moldings. New hoop steps give Ranger Tremor additional off-road styling and functionality without sacrificing ground clearance. Despite its improved off-road capability, Tremor maintains Ranger’s utility in everyday adventures with a smooth, comfortable on-road ride, plus 1,430-pound maximum payload and available 7,500-pound maximum towing capacity, so customers can haul bikes, boats, campers and other gear on their adventures. Customers can now also control accessories like winches, lights and air compressors thanks to Tremor’s six-switch auxiliary power bank mounted to the dash with rated loads of 25 amps, 15 amps and 10 amps, plus three switches at 5 amps. “Ranger Tremor can be your daily driver during the week then transform into your off-road adventure vehicle come Saturday morning,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “With its added off-road capability combined with the six-switch auxiliary bank and more than 200 Ranger-specific dealer-installed available accessories, Ranger Tremor is a very capable overlanding rig.” Tremor adds new styling features inside and out. The grille features a Magnetic-painted surround with black bars running across the middle and red nostril accents in the corners. Special badging comes on both sides of the cargo box, and an optional hood and body graphics package adds extra personalization. The stylish interior features seats with Miko suede inserts and “Tremor” stitched into the seatbacks, as well as black accents. Ranger Tremor comes with the proven 2.3-liter EcoBoost ® engine with 270 horsepower and best-in-class gas torque of 310 lb.-ft., paired to a class-exclusive 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4x4 with electronic locking rear differential. “No matter if you’re on-road or off-road, your truck needs to be tough,” said Callander. “That’s why toughness is engrained in Ranger’s DNA throughout design, engineering and testing. Tremor gives you the added confidence to get to where you need to go because it’s engineered to the same standards you expect in a Built Ford Tough truck.” The Tremor Off-Road Package is available on mid XLT and high Lariat series 2021 Ranger trucks with SuperCrew 4x4 configuration. Package pricing is $4,290 MSRP. 2021 Rangers equipped with the Tremor Off-Road Package will be built at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, with production slated to begin early next year. About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services.  Ford employs approximately 188,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com. New Tremor Off-Road Package available on 2021 Ranger creates the most off-road-ready factory-built Ranger ever offered in the U.S., adding a new level of all-terrain capability without sacrificing the everyday drivability, payload and towing capacity Ranger owners expect.