Testing the Future

In a leading effort to be best-in-class as new technologies and applications for self-driving vehicles unfold, Governor Walker formed a Steering Committee on Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment. Over the last several months, the committee has embarked on an ambitious path to gather expertise from around the country to guide its efforts. They did not need to look beyond their own backyard to find ACS, a Middleton-based company with a worldwide reputation for providing test solutions and facilities to the engine and vehicle market. Scott Hoselton, President of ACS joined representatives from Uber and Waymo at the committee’s January 17, 2018 meeting.

The task of the committee is to recommend a coordinated effort on how best to advance testing and operation of autonomous and connected vehicles in Wisconsin. The committee is chaired by WisDOT Secretary Dave Ross and includes members representing the State Legislature, public agencies, law enforcement, auto manufacturers, trucking, motorcycles, and other sectors.

The implications of autonomous vehicles are wide-ranging, affecting everything from traffic laws to insurance to road building plans to general safety. All aspects must be tested, and ACS, who has designed, built, and commissioned equipment and test spaces for companies investing in new technologies to meet regulatory and market requirements, is well-positioned to offer insights regarding the future of testing as it relates to self-driving vehicles. Scott stated at the meeting, “We are in the midst of a new wave of mobility technology evolution with significant infrastructure considerations and critical connectivity requirements; human safety implications by way of accident reduction will only be achieved with expert execution.”

As noted in Governor Walker’s Executive Order 245, “The removal of barriers to the testing and deployment of automated and connected vehicle technology in Wisconsin may produce significant social, economic, environmental, and innovative benefits including enhancing mobility, creating jobs and improving transportation efficiency.”

Wisconsin is well-poised to take advantage of the revolution in transportation. The president of the Global Automakers Association, John Bozzella, noted that Wisconsin is taking the “road best traveled” in its approach to autonomous vehicles. He noted that Walker took the bold step of creating “a steering committee with world-class universities and private sector partners in close collaboration with state government to develop recommendations for autonomous and connected vehicle testing and deployment.”

“We are pleased to be among the first private sector experts to help guide the committee in its important work,” says Scott Hoselton. “We excel with finding straightforward solutions to multifaceted challenges, particularly when those solutions involve complex machinery and equipment, which will undoubtedly be the case here. We are delighted to help Wisconsin move forward.”