AV operation inclement weather

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) received a Formula Grant award of $200,000 on June 26, 2025, from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Highway Planning and Construction program (CFDA 20.205). The award supports research and development activities focused on automated vehicle operation in inclement weather conditions. This project directly addresses transportation safety and infrastructure resilience priorities by advancing technological capabilities for autonomous vehicle systems to function reliably during adverse weather scenarios, which represents a critical challenge for the broader deployment of automated vehicle technology on public roadways.

As the state's designated transportation authority, WisDOT administers this funding in its capacity as Wisconsin's primary highway and transportation infrastructure agency. The project outcomes will contribute to the broader federal-aid highway program's objectives of improving transportation safety and innovation while supporting the state's transportation planning and development priorities. The funding supports WisDOT's ongoing research and technology transfer efforts within the Highway Planning and Construction assistance listing, which encompasses highway preservation, improvement, and planning activities across the state's transportation network.

Project description

Automated vehicle operation in inclement weather