AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah has announced its partnership with GoMentum Station and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority on an exclusive agreement to study and test how autonomous vehicles can be safely implemented for public use. This marks another key step in the auto club’s larger plan to help its Members make the transition to new forms of transportation that can be safer, more convenient and improve lives.
“From the horseless carriage to the driverless car, AAA has always embraced advancements that can provide our Members increased safety and options in mobility,” said Tim Condon, CEO of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah. “With our ability to study and test autonomous vehicles, AAA is at the forefront of cutting will study how to make autonomous vehicles safer, more beneficial to public edge technology that has the enormous potential to save lives and help people enjoy life more.”
AAA believes autonomous vehicles can potentially be a highly effective method of transportation. They can also provide greater mobility to seniors and the disabled and redefine travel for the next generation. According to AAA’s 2017 survey, three-quarters of U.S. drivers reported being skeptical of riding in a selfdriving car, and only 10 percent reported that they’d actually feel safer sharing the roads with driverless vehicles. With a seat at the table, AAA can accelerate adoption of technologies that increase safety while bringing Members along for the journey and learn about exciting new developments in transportation through a trusted, independent source that has a long heritage in motor vehicle safety. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority operates GoMentum Station, the nation’s largest secure proving grounds for connected and autonomous technology.
“With our multi-faceted approach to redefining mobility, we believe that informing and educating the public about the advances in technology is just as important as the connected and automated technology itself," stated CCTA Executive Director Randy Iwasaki. “We believe that AAA is the best partner to introduce the public to the possibilities that come with this new technology and be a resource as autonomous vehicles begin to change the way we travel.”
Designated as one of ten automated vehicles proving grounds by the United States Department of Transportation, GoMentum Station features more than 20 miles of paved roadway including city-like roadway grids, twin 1400’ tunnels, overcrossings, undercrossings, railroad tracks, a mini-city, and other urban infrastructure that provides a realistic environment for testing automated and connected technologies.
