Commissioners To Require All Dade Transportation Projects To Account For Self-Driving Cars

Self-driving cars are already starting to show up on Dade roadways, and county officials want to be ready for more widespread usage.

Later today, commissioners are expected to vote on a resolution requiring all future transportation and transit studies to consider the impact of autonomous vehicles.

Dade’s Metropolitan Planning Organization has already unanimously adopted a similar resolution.

The resolution up for a vote:

WHEREAS, technological advances continue to change the manner in which people travel; and

WHEREAS, the development of autonomous cars could change the very landscape of the transportation structure; and

WHEREAS, those communities who prepare for this upcoming technological development will be best able to adjust and capitalize on its potential benefits to improve safety and reduce congestion on its roadways; and

WHEREAS, transportation planning should take into account potential technological impacts; and

WHEREAS, considering the potential impact of autonomous cars on traffic patterns would assist Miami-Dade County in developing more effective transit and transportation solutions; and

WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization unanimously adopted a resolution requiring the consideration of the use of autonomous vehicles in future transportation and transit studies,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board directs the County Mayor or County Mayor’s designee to consider the prospective use of autonomous vehicles in planning future transportation and transit routes and projects and further directs the County Mayor or County Mayor’s designee to request the Metropolitan Planning Organization to coordinate with the County regarding future studies of autonomous vehicles.