'Forward-looking' proposal impresses distinguished guests

Innovations need backing, and Illinois Center for Transportation’s hope to build a high-speed connected and autonomous vehicle track, known as the Illinois Autonomous and Connected Track, is no different.

Hopes remain high after exciting visits with Illinois Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and representatives from Governors State University and Amazon earlier in November and December 2019. Let’s delve in and recap those moments:

 

Illinois Sen. Scott Bennett

Sen. Bennett, who represents the state’s 52nd district, including Champaign and Vermillion counties, couldn’t be more “excited” that such innovative technologies, like autonomous driving, are anticipated to be tested at Rantoul’s decommissioned Chanute Air Force Base.

“It was, of course, the training ground for the Tuskegee Airmen,” he said. “How many of the pilots that won our world wars (were) trained here?”

“There’s a source of pride for us to have that in our own backyard,” Sen. Bennett added. “And of course with that leaving 30 years ago, it’s been hard to find the next thing.”

So what’s the next “it” factor? For Sen. Bennett, it’s definitely the high-speed track.

“To have something that starts here be what designates what the roads are made of all over the world ― that would reduce taxpayer dollars but more importantly make things safer for people ― I think that’s really exciting,” he said.

 

Governors State University

Representatives from the University Park, Illinois campus were also quick to delight in I-ACT’s “ambitious plan” following their visit.

Jun Zhao, Governors State University’s College of Business dean, is enthralled with the endless collaboration possibilities, especially given GSU’s efforts to establish a supply chain innovation center.

“Because of our area, it’s (the center) very strategic in terms of transportation, warehousing (and) distribution centers,” Zhao said. “So we’re very, very excited to find out how we can collaborate with ICT and I-ACT.”

For Zhao, the visit to ICT was just the tip of the iceberg. In terms of her vision, opportunities are endless.

“It’s making (us) more excited about what’s possible in the future and the potential impact of those technologies, (like) helping us reduce congestion, reducing costs, increasing efficiency and also helping the environment,” she said. “There’s a latitude of economic and social impact(s) that can come from this really.”

“We’re glad that we could be part of it,” she added.

 

Amazon

Ed Hobson’s reaction was twofold. The Amazon manager of production planning was first impressed with the high-speed track’s ability to address the toll e-commerce takes on public roadways.

Details like soil samples and pavement mixtures will make all the difference for consumers, according to Hobson. Such careful planning can only help answer consumer questions — from cost efficiency to environmental concerns.

“As you move to an autonomous environment where you’re worried about the nature of the pavement in which these vehicles are traveling and reduced emissions, I think you kind of head off some of the barriers that would naturally come up through this innovation,” he said.

The e-commerce juggernaut representative and father of a 17-year-old daughter was also awe-struck by just how much autonomy promises to increase safety.

“From a customer standpoint, any innovation that can help you rest assure that you and your family are going to be safe will quickly become personal,” Hobson said, “and nothing is more important for us than the lives of ourselves and our loved ones.”

Hobson believes this factor alone will thwart any element of public doubt.

“As you look at AI (artificial intelligence) and automation, there’s been a lot of fear baked in,” Hobson said. “But it’s going to be pretty difficult to implement any type of fear in what you have going here.”

“I feel like there’s been significant thought in forward looking with the work that you all are doing here,” he added.