Data for Autonomous Transportation Awareness (DATA)

Problem Statement

AV deployments are rapidly expanding across multiple urban environments, yet current AV operations and planning are often hindered by limited access to standardized, real-time municipal data. Cities produce a wide range of data that could critically inform AV routing and decision-making, including 911 call logs, real-time street closures, construction activities, and emergency response events. However, these data are rarely available in a consistent standardized format suitable for AV consumption. The Data for Autonomous Transportation Awareness (DATA) project aims to close this gap by identifying key municipal data sources, evaluating existing data standards, and developing a scalable, standardized data-sharing framework that can be integrated into AV operational systems. Through stakeholder engagement and data standards analysis, the project will enable AVs to proactively avoid potentially problematic areas (e.g., emergency incidents or active construction zones), thereby reducing conflicts with first responders, improving roadway safety, and optimizing traffic operations. Ultimately, the DATA project will foster replicability, support widespread industry adoption, and ensure that AVs can leverage city data efficiently and equitably, avoiding a fragmented “patchwork” of standards across different regions.