The proposed project involves conducting research and testing of autonomous vehicles in winter conditions, focusing on two-land rural highways in north dakota

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration awarded North Dakota State University $1,249,653 on December 1, 2025, under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance High Priority Activities Grants and Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 20.237).

The award funds research and testing of autonomous vehicles in winter conditions on two-lane rural highways in North Dakota. The project will examine challenges associated with operating and maintaining autonomous trucks in extreme weather, the effects of extreme cold on sensors and autonomous driving systems, implications of winter conditions for safety inspections, and operational conditions for autonomous trucks in relation to operational design elements. The recipient will develop recommendations for a safety plan and structure for safety testing and operation in winter, and will organize a conference discussing autonomous truck development in North Dakota and the region.

Performance runs through September 30, 2028, with all work conducted in North Dakota.

The project will focus on challenges associated with operating and maintaining autonomous trucks in extreme weather conditions, the effects of extreme cold on sensors and autonomous driving systems, implications of extreme winter conditions for safety inspections, operational conditions for autonomous trucks in relation to operational design elements and to provide recommendations on a safety plan a structure for safety testing and operation in winter. The project also proposes a conference discussing autonomous truck development in north dakota and the region.