Oklahoma State University (OSU) has secured $4 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a project to develop autonomous vehicle services for rural and tribal communities.
The initiative, titled “Tribal & Rural Autonomous Vehicles for Equity, Livability, and Safety” (TRAVELS), is led by the University of Wisconsin–Madison and has a total budget of $15 million. OSU will also receive $4 million in matching support from industry partners and in-kind contributions.
Infrastructure and Autonomous Vehicle Research
Dr. Joshua Li, an associate professor in OSU’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, will lead work on infrastructure readiness, including road conditions, traffic signs, connected vehicle systems and high-definition maps.
The project will also examine how digital technologies and infrastructure improvements can support autonomous vehicles in areas where transportation services are limited.
Potential Transportation Services
TRAVELS will explore autonomous transportation for healthcare access, public transit and tourism. The project will proceed through three phases—research, demonstration and deployment—each lasting two years.
Dr. Ed Kirtley, OSU’s associate dean of engineering extension, highlighted the potential benefits for residents facing transportation barriers.
“The project will result in tangible products, including the demonstration and deployment of AV services that directly benefit these communities.”
Multi-Institution Collaboration
The TRAVELS consortium includes seven academic institutions, five autonomous vehicle industry partners and 34 transportation agencies. The initiative aims to address mobility gaps and improve transportation safety in rural and tribal communities.
