Designation of Automated Vehicle

Proving Grounds Pilot

submitted by:

Leslie S. Richards, Secretary

with Testing Partners

and Technical Research & Resource Partners

Application to U.S. DOT | December 19, 2016

Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

I. Executive Summary
Therequestforthedesignationofautomatedvehicleprovinggroundswithin
Pennsylvaniarepresentsthecommonwealthslatesteffortaimedat
maintainingitspositionasanationalleaderinencouragingandpromotingthe
safedevelopmentofthisemergingtechnology.
InrespondingtoUSDOTssolicitationofproposals,webelievethat
Pennsylvaniahasbrokeredaninnovativeapproachthatencompassesa
varietyoffacilitiesallowingtestingwithinawidearrayofenvironmentsand
conditionsundervaryingdegreesoftestingmaturity.Theseincludeclosed
trackssuchasPoconoRaceway,withthecapabilitiesofaccommodatinghigh
speedtesting,platooning,andamultitudeofatgradeintersection
configurations,toclosedtracksatPennStatethataregearedtowardtesting
transitandcommercialvehicles.Athirdareaincludestheexcellent,realworld
challengeofoperatingonthepublicstreetsofPittsburgh,wheretesterssuch
asUberhavealreadybeenbusytestinginlivetrafficandinavarietyofreal
worldconditionsthatHAVsmusteventuallymaster,includinginclement
weather,topography,andothertransportationchallenges,suchasnegotiating
bridges,tunnels,andthecitysactivebicycleculture.
Ourpartnersincludenotonlyrepresentativesofthetestingfacilitiesdescribed
above,butalsothePennsylvaniaTurnpikeCommissionandresearchexperts
fromtheworldofacademiasuchasCarnegieMellonUniversity(CMU),the
UniversityofPennsylvania,andtheircombinedpartnershipwithUSDOT,the
UniversityTransportationCenter(Mobility21).Therelationshipsamongthese
variousindustryplayersisfurtherexplainedanddescribedinsucceeding
sectionsofourproposal.

WhyItWorks

OURGOALS

AdvancingHAV
technology
Promotingsafetyandthe
benefitsofHAV
technology
Opendatasharingand
managementforour
testingpartnersandthe
public
Encouragingtestingin
variousgeographies,
weatherconditions,and
atdifferentlevelsof
testingmaturity
OURSTRENGTHS

PennDOTasaconvener
Safetyemphasis
Statewideinscope
Scalabilityofapproach
Sharingofdata
StateHAVpolicyand
infrastructurealreadyin
place

Ourproposalfeaturesacollaborativeprocessinvolvinggovernment,industry,andacademia.Webelievethisisa
logicalframeworkthatcanlaythefoundationforfuturesuccess.Initsrecentguidance,NHTSAhasidentifiedthat
thereneedstobealeadagencyineverystate.PennDOThastakenthatroleasitrelatestoHAVsin
Pennsylvaniatoensuresafetyintestingandthesharingofknowledgeanddata.PennDOTviewsitsroleasa
OURAPPROACH
Thisapplicationjoinsthreeprovinggroundapplicationsunderoneumbrellaapplicationtocreateaunique
approachbasedonPennDOTsalignmentwithNHTSAsrecommendationforoneleadHAVagencyineach
state.WebelievethateachpartnerapplicationstandsonitsownmeritandshouldnotbedisqualifiedifUS
DOTdoesnotselectourumbrellaapplication.However,webelievethattheCommunityofPracticebenefits
greatlyfromcoordinatedandjointeffortsofthreeprovinggroundsthateachofferadifferentenvironmentfor
testingandtheabilitytoshareresourcesanddatatomaximizesafetythroughoutthetestingprocess.
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Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

facilitatororconveneranentitythatisuniquelypositionedtoprovideoversightandlegalsupporttotestersand
testingfacilitiesalike.Thisroleputsusincontactwitheachofourdesignatedpartnersandinapositionto
understandwhattheyredoingandpromotetheirefforts,allwhilebreakingdowngovernmentalbarriersthatcan
haveanunintendedconsequenceofstiflinginnovationandprogress.
Ourpartnerstoobringvariousstrengthstotheapplication.AsnotallpartnershaveexpertiseinallareasofHAV
testing,amatrixapproachcombinesthestrengthsofeachintoamorecompellingapplication,overall.Having
PennDOTinaleadrolewillallowourpartnerstolooktousforinterpretationsoftheVehicleCodeasitrelatesto
theappropriatetestinganddeploymentofHAVs.Thiswillhelppreventtestersfromrunningafoulofcodesand
regulationsorpracticesthatcouldallowingtestinginamannerthatwouldcompromisesafety.
TheaccompanyingtabledepictstheDepartment,itspartners(inbothtestingandresearch),andthevariousareas
ofexpertiseeachentitybringstotheapplication.Itshowsthattogether,wearestrongerthanthesumofour
individualparts.Allofourpartnersarecriticalelementsofthisapplication.

Table1:MatrixofExpertise/TeamStrengths
Partners
TechnicalSupport&Resources

TestingFacilities

Required
Expertise

Administration

Legal

Legislative/
Policy

Research

Safety

Security

Technical

USDOT
Guidance
Testing
Facility
AddlTesting
Equipment

PennDOTisnotanewcomertotheadvancementofHAVtechnology.Toensureouragencyisproperlypoisedtobea
leaderinHAVdevelopment,wehavereorganizedourstafftocommitgreaterresourcesandattentiontoautonomous
andconnectedvehicleprograms.Staffparticipatesonnumerouscommitteesdevotedtothedevelopmentofthis
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Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

technology,andweactivelysupporttheCommunityofPracticethroughsuchinitiativesastheAASHTOSPaTchallenge,
andindiscussinglessonslearnedthroughourrecentHarrisburgdeployment.Ourpartnershavealsobeenpromoting
HAVsthroughnationalpresentations,TRBmeetings,andregionalmeetings(e.g.,TransportationEngineeringandSafety
Conference).PennsylvaniaisalsoamemberoftheSmartBeltCoalition,whichisagrassrootspartnershipbetweenthe
statesofMichigan,Ohio,andPennsylvaniatoprioritizeandadvanceHAVinitiativesfortheregion.
OurworkinthedevelopmentofHAVpolicywillbefoundationaltoUSDOTsproposeddesignationofprovinggrounds
withinthestate.Forexample,oneofthelegaciesofourrecentworkindevelopingHAVpolicyisthatwehavethe
benefitofalreadyhavingafullyfunctioningPolicyTaskForce,composedofarangeofcomplementaryinterests
(government,academia,manufacturers,etc.),elementsofwhichwillberecastaspartofanewPennsylvaniaProving
GroundSafetyAdvisoryCommitteethatwouldserveasaliaisonbetweenthetestingfacilitiesandtheCommunityof
Practice.

II. Approach
Figure1:ProvingGroundStructure

Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

Figure1aboveoutlinesourinnovativeapproachthatwouldservetoallowHAVtestinganddatacollectiontobe
performedinasafeandefficientmannerthatresultsinthepromotionofdatasharingandsharingofbest
practices.TheconceptasshowniscenteredonaPennsylvaniaProvingGroundSafetyAdvisoryCommittee.While
PennDOTisshownasachairofthisgroup,otherpartnerswouldhaveequalparticipation.Thecollaborative
natureofthisarrangementwillmaketestinginPennsylvaniathatmuchstronger.Ourframeworkalsonaturally
allowsforthesharingofknowledgeanddata,asPennDOTanditspartnersallparticipateinvariouscommittees
andorganizations,allofwhichwouldhelpinformaCommunityofPractice.Thefigurealsoacknowledgesthatif
testingisperformedinapublicenvironment(asopposedtoaclosedtrack,etc.)itwillbeimportanttosellthe
benefitsofHAVtolocalmunicipalities.PennDOThastheinfrastructureandpersonnelalreadyinplaceto
accomplishthis.Thefigurealsoproposesasubcommitteeondatacollection.PennDOTseekstoensurethatthe
dataitcollectsandmaintainsistransparentandabletobeshared.Thefigurehighlightsthethreetestingfacilities;
thediscretebenefitsoftestingateacharefurtherexplainedthroughoutourproposal.

Figure2:TesterFlow

Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

Figure2abovedemonstratesourvisionofhowanapplicantwouldapproachPennDOTindeterminingwhatfacility
itwoulduse,andhowthetesterwouldinteractwithPennDOTandourSafetyAdvisoryCommittee.Theproposed
frameworkminimizesanybureaucraticprocessesthatcouldsquelchordiscouragetestersinterestedintesting
HAVSinPennsylvania.Theselfassessmentasshownintheflowchartcouldbeperformedthroughanonline
platforminachecklistformattohelpguidethetesterastowhatfacilitytheymaywishtocontactanduse.This
processcouldbeachievedwithinminutes,andwithoutanyhumaninvolvement.Ifatesterneedsadditional
guidance,moreformalcontactwiththecommitteewouldbemadetodirectthetestertothemostappropriate
testingfacilityalternative.Itisimportanttonotethatthecontractingwouldoccurdirectlywiththefacility.The
SafetyAdvisoryCommitteewouldalsoensurethatanexchangeofsafetydata/testingresultsoccursacrossour
variouspartnershipsanddoesnotoccurwithinavacuum.ThisrepresentsavitallyimportantrolefortheSafety
AdvisoryCommittee.
ThisframeworkasproposedwillencouragetestinginPennsylvaniabyensuringthatanyproceduralbottlenecksin
initiatingHAVtestingareminimized.Theflowchartdemonstratesthecollaborationthatwouldoccuramongall
theentitiesthatareinvolvedinperforming,hosting,andmanagingthetestingprocess.Therelationshipsinherent
inthisprocessasdesignedtoensurethatcollaborationtakesplace.

III. Address Selection Criteria

ThissectionoftheproposalsystematicallyaddressestheselectioncriterianotedinUSDOTssolicitationof
proposals.EachsubsectiondocumentshowPennDOTastheleadagency,alongwithitsvariouspartners,satisfy
thecriteria.

A. MandatoryCriteria

1. ADesignatedSafetyOfficerresponsiblefortheentityssafetymanagementplanandwhowillparticipatein
theCommunityofPracticesregularquarterlymeetingofSafetyOfficers.

PennDOTsMarkKopkowillserveasthedepartmentsSafetyCoordinator.HeisthemanagerforAdvanced
VehicleTechnologyandwouldalsoconvenequarterlymeetingswithourpartnersSafetyOfficers.Anadditional
pointofcontactwouldbeGlennRowe,P.E.,whoisPennDOTsChiefofHighwaySafetyandTrafficOperations.
TheCityofPittsburghsSafetyOfficerwillbetheincomingdirectorofthenewDepartmentofMobilityand
Infrastructure,tobeannouncedinearlyJanuary2017.AtCarnegieMellon,theSafetyOfficerswillbeDr.Raj
Rajkumar,Director,TSETUTC,andGeorgeWestinghouse,ProfessorofElectricalandComputerEngineering.
AtPennStateUniversitysLarsonTransportationInstitute,SteveWilliams,LTIsoperationsmanagerwillserveas
SafetyOfficer,whileDennisKovalich,LTIstesttrackmanager,willactasonsiteSafetyOfficer.
PoconoRacewayhasdesignateditsSeniorDirectorofFacilityOperationsasitsSafetyOfficer.TheSeniorDirector
ofOperationsorhisdesigneeandtheclientusingthetrackdevelopsaSafetyManagementPlanthatbestsuitsthe
typeofdriving,thespeed,thecourseutilizedandtheamountofsafetydeliverablesneededbythirdparties.The
approachiscustomizedtohandletheapproachandrequestoftheuserofthefacility.
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Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

2. Commitmenttosharingtheentitysapproachestosafetyandsafetydatageneratedthroughtestingand
application.

AsdocumentedinSection2ofourproposal,oneofthekeyrolesofourproposedSafetyAdvisoryCommitteewill
betoserveasaclearinghouseofinformationrelatedtosafetydataandtestingresults.Furthermore,anydata
providedtoorgeneratedbyusorourpartnerswillbesharedinNHTSArequiredformatwhereapplicable.

B. ProposedContributions

1. Theextenttowhichtheapplicantmeetstheaboveeligibilityandadministersanestablishedautomated
vehicleprogram,eitherindependentlyorthroughapartnership.
PennDOTwillchallengethepartnersandworkwiththemontheirrespectiveprogramsasrequested.PennDOT,
alongwiththeCityofPittsburghandCarnegieMellonUniversity,hasjoinedwiththePATurnpikeCommissionin
developingaJointConnectedVehicleStrategicPlanthatsetsaconsistentvisionanddirectionforthestate.

PSUstesttrackpresentlyincludesmanyofthecorecapabilitiesneededtoperformconnected,automated,and
autonomousvehicletests.Mostcriticaltoallthesetestsare:
Theabilitytoensureaccesscontrol,i.e.,theabilitytopreventanyunauthorizedaccesstothetrackfrom
nontestvehicles.(Thisenablessafetycriticalteststobeperformedsafelyawayfrompublicexposure.)
Theabilitytocontrolpavementsurfaces,includingpavementmarkings,signage,signalingsystems,and
evenwettingoricingthesurface(inwinterweather)undercontrolledconditions.

Additionally,thetracksupportsmanycorecapabilitiesthatareessentialtoadvancedvehicletesting,suchas
DRSC,vehiclemapping,andelectrificationandchargingsystems.
2. Thecapabilityoftheapplicanttoprovideleadershipinmakingnationalandregionalcontributionstothe
solutionofbothlongrangeandimmediatemobilitychallengesthroughthetestinganddeploymentof
automatedvehicletechnology.
PennDOTscontributionstotheadvancementofHAVtechnologyarenumerousandfarreaching.Ourstaffhas
broughtleadershiptotheindustryonanationalstage,throughitsinvolvementinsuchcommitteesas:

I95CorridorCoalitionTravelerInformationServicesCommittee(cochair);
ConnectedVehiclePooledFundStudy/AASHTODeploymentCoalition;
USDOTVehicletoInfrastructureDeploymentCoalition;
AASHTOSubcommitteeonTrafficEngineering;
AASHTOSubcommitteeonTSMO.

Ourpartnersaugmentourqualifications.Forexample,theCityofPittsburghandCMUhavecollaboratedoverthe
pastseveralyearsonthedevelopmentandimplementationofAdaptiveSignalControlSystems,Connected
VehicleTechnology,andConnectedandAutonomousVehiclePolicyinanurbansetting.Theseprojectshave
includedmanySmartPGHbrandedprojects,suchasthepilotprogramfortheSurtracAdaptiveSignalControl
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Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

SystemintheEastLibertyneighborhoodofPittsburgh,theCitysproposalforUSDOTsSmartCityChallengein
late2015andthroughoutmuchof2016,andtherecentlyawardedAdvancedTransportationandCongestion
ManagementTechnologiesDeployment(ATCMTD)grantforexpansionofAdaptiveSignalControlSystemsand
SmartStreetlightsthroughoutanumberofsmartspinecorridorswithinPittsburgh.
Additionally,PoconoRaceway,givenitsintrinsicrelationshipwithOEMautomakersandtheirsuppliersmeansthat
testinginthefieldofmotorsportshelpsdrivetechnologydevelopmentsthroughouttheindustry.Thevehiclesthat
aretestedattheracetrackcannotbetestedinalaboratoryorliveroadwaytestsimulationandsoPoconofulfilsa
specificroleaspartofourapplicationinthatregard.
3. TheapplicantsproposedcontributionstotheCommunityofPractice.Examplesincludeestablishedsafety
managementplans,accesstotestingdata,engagementwithstakeholders,orabilitytogenerateresults
thathavebroadapplicability.
OurautonomousvehiclepolicytaskforcehasservedasabenchmarknotonlyforentitieswithinPennsylvaniabut
alsoforourotherstateDOTpeers.Thetaskforcesrolewillexpandbeyondthatofpolicyanalysisand
developmentasthetechnologyanditsdevelopmentcontinuestoevolve.TheGeneralAssemblyisexpectedto
enactauthorizinglegislationthatwillgivePennDOTmorepowertoadoptpoliciesoverseeingmoreadvancedHAV
testing.Aspartofthetaskforcesinfrastructure,awebsiteandaninternalprojectSharePointsitehavebeen
developedtoserveasaclearinghouseandrepositoryfornewsandinformationrelatedtotheindustry.Also,
membersofourITSPennsylvaniaChapterareactivelyinvolvedinourStateTransportationInnovationCouncil
(STIC),whereideascanbeevaluatedandimplemented.
InadditiontotheCityofPittsburghandCMUsSafetyOfficersattendingQuarterlyMeetingofSafetyOfficersand
SafetyPartnersconvenedbyPennDOT,theywillalsoserveasconvenersofquarterlylocalmeetingsfocusedon
theCityofPittsburghandautonomoustestinginurbanenvironments.TheseconveningsarelikelytoincludeCity
ofPittsburghstafffromtheDepartmentofMobilityandInfrastructure,theDepartmentofPublicWorks,the
DepartmentofCityPlanning,andtheMayorsOfficeaswellastechnicalexpertsandresearchersfromCarnegie
MellonUniversity,theUniversityofPittsburgh,theSouthwesternPennsylvaniaCommission(SPC),andPittsburgh
basedcompanieslikeUberandRapidFlowTechnologies.
Furthermore,theCityofPittsburghhasalreadyspearheadedapioneeringefforttodeveloptheWesternPA
RegionalDataCenter(WPRDC),aonestopshopforalltheCityandCounty'scurrentcollecteddata,whichis
accessiblebythepublicinanopen,machinereadableformat.
4. TheapplicantsabilityandwillingnesstomaintainaworkingrelationshipwiththeDepartmentsrelevant
researchprogramoffices,includingpotentialparticipationinconferences,meetings,jointresearchefforts,
andsubmissionofsignificantactivityreportstotheDOTonaroutinebasis.
PennDOTalreadyhasactiveinvolvementwithinmanyorganizations,includingTRBandITSAmerica.Secretary
RichardshasalsobeenasoughtafterspeakeratconferencesonthedevelopmentofHAVtechnology.TheCityof
PittsburghandCarnegieMellonUniversityhavealreadydevelopedsubstantialcollaborativerelationshipswith
USDOTandFHWAandhaveattendingnumerousconferencesandconductedprojectstogetherinrecentyears.In
fact,Dr.RajRajkumarhasbeeninvitedonmultipleoccasionstoserveasaspeakerand/orpanelistatUSDOT
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Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

functions,includingtheintroductoryconveningfortheSmartCityChallenge.BoththeCityofPittsburghandCMU
wouldbepleasedtocontinueanddeepensuchrelationships.PSUiscommittedtoworkingwithUSDOTin
developingappropriatepoliciesandprocedurestoexecuteprescribedtestsaspartofitsLaboratoryResearch
SafetyPlan.PoconoRacewayiscommittedtofosteringrelationshipswithPennDOT,itspartners,andUSDOT.
C. CommitmenttoSafety

1. Thedemonstratedcapabilitytocontrolrisksthroughtheimplementationofrobustsafetyprecautions
throughapublishedsafetymanagementplaninallprovinggroundtestingandoperations.
PennDOTanditspartnersallmaintainandenforcetheirrespectivesafetyplans.
AstheUSDOTTechnologiesforSafeandEfficientTransportationUniversityTransportationCenter(TSETUTC),
CarnegieMellonsautonomoustransportationresearchhasfocusedprimarilyonsafety,in5specificareas:In
VehicleTechnologies,InfrastructureTechnologies,HumanVehicleInteractions,Mobility/DataAnalyticsandPolicy.
TheCityofPittsburghhaspartneredwiththeexpertsatCMUspecificallytoensurethatsafetyprecautionsare
prioritizedastheprimaryconcerninautonomousvehicletestinginourdense,multimodalurbansetting.Both
CityofPittsburghstaffandexpertsfromCMUwouldparticipateinPennDOTsProposedSafetyAdvisory
Committeetoensurethatcollaborativesafetymanagementplanswereagreeduponinthoughtful,fullyinformed
mannerpriortotesting.
InStateCollege,thePSUtesttrackfeaturesatwopersonsafetymanagementteamforallautomatedvehicle
testingatitsclosedlooptesttrack.TheschoolsSafetyPolicyensuresthatallprojectsadministeredatitstest
trackareconsistentwithuniversitypolicy,andthatallsafetyexpectationsareclearlycommunicatedtoall
responsiblepartiesbeforetestingisundertaken.TheschoolsCollegeofEngineeringdevelopsthemissionand
visionforsafetyandsecurityforalllaboratoriesandresearchspace.AnintegratedSafetyPlan(ISP)ensuresthat
safetyandhealthwithineachunitoftheschoolarewellmanaged.
PoconoRacewayhasastrongcommitmenttothesafetyofracing,spectators,andthosethatmayusethefacilities
forHAVtesting.Ithasthetechnicalexpertisethatcanbesharedandincorporatedintonewtechnologytestingon
adesignatedprovingground.
2. Demonstratethatspecificsafetyconsiderationshavebeenmetoverthecourseofoperation,including
safetyofprovinggroundpersonnel,safetyprotocolswhenmakinguseofpublicroads,andattentiontosafe
design,deployment,andoperationsofautomateddevices.
Statelawcurrentlyallowsforselfdrivingvehiclesaslongasthereisadriveravailablebehindthesteeringwheelto
reacttounexpectedevents.CurrentpolicyguidancerecommendsthattestersinPennsylvaniabeableto
demonstratetotheDepartmentthatitcansetup,manage,andrunasafeandsuccessfultestingoperationonthe
stateshighways.
TheCityofPittsburghsDepartmentofMobilityandInfrastructurewillworkcloselywithPennDOTandUSDOTto
andtestingfirmstomethodicallydocumentanddemonstratetotheDepartmentthat,collaboratively,our

Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

partnerscanandwillsetup,manage,andrunasafeandsuccessfultestingoperationinanurbansetting.Penn
StatehassafetymanagementprotocolsforitsLTItesttrackandintestingonthelocalroadwaysofStateCollege.
PoconoRacewayisalreadyathoughtleaderinthefieldofmotorsportssafetyandcommitstoshareestablished
safetymanagementplans,grantaccesstononproprietarytestingdata,andengagewithstakeholders.
D. Research,Application,andDataSharing

1. TheextenttowhichtheStateorlocalitycanprovideapplicablesolutionsforthebroaderregionand
surroundingcorridorforimprovedmobilitythroughtheadvancementofautomatedvehicletechnology.
Ahallmarkofourapplicationincludestheabilitytotestindifferentenvironments:livetraffic,closedtrack/low
speed,andclosedtrack/highspeed.Moreover,ourapplicationoffersscalability,ortheabilitytoexpandour
networkintootherfacilitiesandcorridors.
Thoughspanningarelativelysmallgeographyfootprint,Pittsburghboastsarangeofdensitiesacrossits90
neighborhoods.TheCityofPittsburghishometoadensedowntownbusinessdistrict,urbanneighborhoods,
streetcarsuburbs,andpostwarbedroomcommunities.Steeptopography,rivers,andothernaturalandman
madeboundarieshavecreatedapatchworkofneighborhoodswitharangeofdensities,whichmakePittsburgh
theidealcityforsimulatingavarietyoflocales,climates,andlevelsofdensity.

Additionally,Pittsburghisinamomentofsharedvision.TheleadersoftheCity,County,Commonwealth,
corporateinterests,anchornonprofitinstitutions,andphilanthropieshavenotworkedsocloselytogetherin
generations.Giventhissharedvision,webelievelessonslearnedinPittsburghwillbemoreeasilyexportedtoour
surroundingmunicipalitiesinAlleghenyCounty,andthroughoutPennsylvania.
TheLTItesttrackatPennStatehasthepotentialtospreadtestingcapabilitiesintothesurroundingcommunity,
includingthePennStateCampus,thesurroundinglocalcommunity,andnearbyinterstatehighwaysystems.This
isparticularlyusefulbecauseitsgarageandgatedareacanserveasavehicleparking/storage,work,anddata
collectionfacility,whileatthesametimeallowingusersaccesstoavarietyofroadenvironmentsfortesting.
PoconoRaceway(knowncolloquiallyastheTrickyTriangle)offersawiderangeoftestingpossibilitiesinaddition
totheonesnotedpreviously.ThePoconotrackisnotableinthatitincludesa3,740footlongstraightaway
(longestinthenationforNASCAR),whichoffersanexcellentenvironmentfortestinghighspeedplatooningand
braking,andsimulatedworkzoneswithlongtaperssimilartoaninterstate.Thelongstraightawaycouldalsoallow
fortestingspeedsupto85mph(assometollroadsinTexasalreadyallowforthisrateofspeed),orsimulated
rampsonandoffaninterstateatrealspeeds.Inanotherapplication,thetracksthreedifferentanglecurvescould
beusedtotestvehiclessuchasdumptruckswithblindcurves.
Additionally,PoconosinteriorroadwaynetworkinsidetheTrianglecouldserveavarietyofintersectionmarkups,
includingTintersections,3or4wayintersections,etc.Poconoalsoincludesamixofpavedandgravelsurface
parkinglots,whichwouldbeexcellentassetstouseintestingautomatedvaletservice,particularlyonsurfaces
thatdonotcontainanyroadwaymarkings.Consideringallofthesetestingoptions,Poconooffersarangeofreal

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Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

worldoperatingconditionsfortesting.TobuildafacilityfromscratchthatcouldmatchthefeaturesPocono
currentlyofferswouldtakeyearstocomplete.

2. Thedemonstratedresearchandextensionresourcesavailableforcarryingoutactivitiesandprogramsas
theyrelatetoautomatedvehicleadvancements.
PennDOTenjoyshavingthesupportofthreemajoracademicinstitutionsandprovinggrounds,aswellasPocono
Racewayasatestingfacility.OurpartnersarerecognizedveteransandleadingresearchersinthefieldofHAV
technology,includingCarnegieMellonandPittUniversityinPittsburgh(aswellastheTraffic21Instituteand
Metro21),andPennStateUniversityinStateCollege.AdditionalresourcesareavailablefromtheCityof
Pittsburgh,theUniversityofPittsburgh,andAlleghenyCountyviatheWesternPARegionalDataCenter(WPRDC).
ResourcesarealsoavailablefromtheSurtracpilotprojectinEastLibertyandtheupcomingATCMTDproject
relatingtoAdaptiveSignalControlSystems,DSRCunits,andSmartStreetlights.
Ourresourcesalsoincludeafleetofdumptrucks,snowplows,loaders,andsaltspreaders.Ourpartneratthe
PennsylvaniaTurnpikeCommissionaddsanadditional3,600unitsoffleetequipment,includingdumptrucks,
attenuators,andpoolcars.
Inadditiontotheequipmentwehaveavailable,ourpartnersatPSUandPoconoofferthetestingenvironments
forthisequipment.TestingonpublicstreetswithintheCityofPittsburghoccursonroadwaysthatareownedand
maintainedbytheCityandtheCommonwealth.Inshort:wehavethevehiclesandrelatedequipmentnecessaryin
ordertotesttheinfrastructure(V2Iapplications).

3. Thedegreetowhichtheapplicantcandisseminateresultsofautomatedvehicleresearchthrougha
statewideorregionwideeducationprogramtosupportthenationaldeploymentofautomatedvehicle
technology.

Asastatedepartmentoftransportation,thereachofPennDOTsorganizationalnetworkisvast.Thedepartmentis
organizedinto11engineeringdistrictstolocalizeitsengineeringandmaintenancefunctionsandalsomaintains
maintenancefacilitiesinall67Pennsylvaniacounties.PennDOTalsohasaPressOfficethatservesasthepublic
faceofthedepartment,alongwithacommunityrelationscoordinator(CRC)ineachoftheengineeringdistricts.
TheseCRCsoverseethedistrictspublicoutreachactivitiesandprograms.
Withinstategovernment,thedepartmentalsohasexistingrelationshipswithitssisteragenciessuchasthe
DepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopment,andthePennsylvaniaStatePolice.Additionally,PennDOT
issupportedby24planningpartnersanetworkofMPOsandRPOsthatcollaboratewithusinsupportofour
missionasitrelatestoourplanningandprogrammingactivities.Inaddition,PennDOThasrecurringcontactwith
over11millionvehicleownersandcanalsoleverageourrelationshipswithmunicipalandmodalassociations.
TheCityofPittsburghandCMUwillcontributealllocaldata,research,andfindingsregardingtheurbanareaof
PittsburghtowardPennDOTslargerstatewideeducationandinformationalprogramming.AtPSU,theschoolhas
enjoyeda50yearhistoryofworkingcollaborativelywithPennDOTinadvancingthestateoftheartandstateof
thepracticeintransportation.PoconoRacewaysnaturalrelationshipwiththeOEMmanufacturersandtheir
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Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

suppliersgivesthemaccesstoanationalplatformforsharingdataandinformationrelatedtosafetyandtesting
results.Poconospartnershaveextensiveresearchandtechnicalmanualsatthetrackthatallowfordriving
technologydevelopmentforracevehiclesandautomatedvehiclesalike.
4. Acommitmenttoopendataandsharingperformancemetricsandresultsofobjectivetests.
PennDOThasthephysicalinfrastructure,ordatafarm,tohouseallthedatarelatedtoHAVtestingand
developmentandiscommittedtosharingallthedataprovidedbytheprovinggroundfacilities.
TheCityofPittsburghhasspearheadedapioneeringefforttodevelopadatasharinginfrastructurefortheregion.
Together,withpartnersatAlleghenyCounty,theUniversityofPittsburgh,theRichardKingMellonFoundation,
andtheHeinzEndowments,itsuccessfullybuilttheWesternPennsylvaniaRegionalDataCenter(WPRDC).
PittsburghsCityCouncilunanimouslypassedOpenDatalegislationinFebruary2014withinputfromlocaland
nationalexpertsincludingprofessionalsattheSunlightFoundation.Thislegislationrequiresrecordstobeopen
bydefaultandestablishedaprocessforidentifyingandapprovingdatasetsforpublicationthroughtheWPRDC.

E. DemonstratedInvestments
Infacilitatingautomatedvehicletesting,applicantsdemonstrateacommitmentthroughoneormoreofthe
following:
1. Capitalimprovementstotheprovingground(s)toadvanceautomatedvehicles
PennDOTiscommittedtoprovidingtheCityofPittsburghwithsignals,fiber,andbuses.ThroughourGreenLight
GoProgramwehaveaspecificfundingmechanismforlocalmunicipalitiestodeployITSandHAVtechnologies.In
2017,theCityofPittsburghsCapitalBudgetaimstoallocate$75.9Minfundingforcapitalprojectsandto
continueMayorPedutoscommitmenttodevelopingalongtermmaintenanceandinvestmentplanfortheCitys
assets.Thisincludes$15.1Mforstreetresurfacing,providingformorethan60milestobecompleted.TheCitys
budgetforstreetresurfacinghasmorethandoubledsince2014.
InMonroeCounty,PoconoRacewaylieswithinPennDOTEngineeringDistrict50.Theracewayhasanexcellent
workingrelationshipwiththedistrict,asitoffersVariableMessageBoardstohelpguidespecialeventtrafficto
andfromthesite.PortabletrafficsignalscouldbeloanedoutandsharedwithPoconoformaintenanceactivities,
andsignalequipmentcouldbeacquiredinsupportofHAVtestingandresearch.PoconoRacewayin2013
completedamultimilliondollarrepavingprojectonitsroadcourses,andallroadcourseswerewidenedby30
feet.PoconoRacewayiscommittedtomakingthenecessarycapitalexpendituretomaintainitsstatusasan
approvedAutonomousVehicleProvingGround.UnderdevelopedornotyetdevelopedpropertywithinthePocono
Racewaypropertymaybeavailableforfutureuseastestingneedsevolve.

2. Authorizationfortheprovinggroundstoaddressregulatorychallengesassociatedwithhigherlevelsof
automation.
PennDOTwouldbeverypleasedtoworkwiththeproposedprovinggroundfacilities,USDOT,andvarietyofother
partnersstatewideandnationwidetoaddressregulatorychallenges,andopportunities,atallgovernmentallevels
associatedwithhigherlevelsofautomation.
12

Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

3. Testingordeploymentunderwaytodetermineautomatedvehicletechnologyfeasibility.

InSeptember2016,UberdeployedasmallfleetofselfdrivingvehiclesfromtheirAdvancedTechnologiesCenter
inPittsburghsLawrencevilleneighborhood.Thedriverassistedtestingoftheirautonomousvehiclesremains
ongoing.Onasmallerscale,CMUhastestedautonomousvehicletechnologyonandaroundthePittsburghbased
campusfordecades.
InStateCollege,PennStateresearchersaredevelopingsoftwareusingtheRobotOperatingSystemthatallows
interactionbetweeneitherasimulatedorlivevehicleandasimulationofvirtualtrafficelements.Thegoalofthis
integrationofatrafficsimulator(AIMSUN)withlivevehicledataistodeveloptoolsthatallowanunderstandingof
howtomodel,thenpredict,andthencontroltrafficbehaviorsthatresultfromautonomousand/orconnected
vehicletechnologies.Thescopeofthisworkincludesintegrationoftrafficsimulationsoftwaretoenable
synchronizationofthesimulationsoftwarewithvehicleandinfrastructuresignalingelementsthatareoperating
lifeattheLTItesttrack.
F. Readiness

1. Designatedfacilityisopenfortesting,ortheabilityoftheapplicanttodemonstratethatthefacilitywillbe
openfortestingbyJanuary1,2018.
Thefollowingalreadycompleted,PennDOTsupporteddeploymentsattesttoourreadinesstocontinueleading
HAVtestingwithinthestate:

LibertyCorridor
DSRCDeploymenttoAirport(http://transportation.house.gov/)
Baum/CenterDeployment
2015ITSAmericademonstrations
FHWAAID(McKnightCorridorDeployment)2014
LegislativeAutonomousVehicleDemonstration(June1,2016)
CityofHarrisburgCapitalComplexDeployment(9/28/2016)fastestdeploymentofDSRCtechnologyinPA(6
weeksfrominceptiontodemonstration).WorkedwiththeCity,PennDOT,andIndustry.
TheCityofPittsburgh$10.8millionFHWAATCMTDgrantforSmartSpinecorridors.
PennDOTI76ParallelcorridorstodeployDSRCon154intersectionswithDSRCtechnologies.

2. Thefacilitysupportstestingbymultipleusers,orthedatageneratedbytheprovinggroundissharedopenly
tothepublic.

PennDOTcollectsandmaintainsenormousamountsofdataonitssystemandusers.Thiswillbesharedwith
FHWAandourpartners,asappropriate.TheCityofPittsburghcollectsandmaintainsitsdataviathepreviously
mentionedWesternPARegionalDataCenter.Inaddition,alldataprovidedto,orgeneratedby,theCityof
PittsburghwillbesharedwithUSDOTaswellasPennDOT/FHWAandstatewidepartners,whereappropriate,in
NHTSArequiredformatwhereapplicable.

13

Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

3. DesignatedfacilityprovidesaDesignatedPointofContact(DPOC).
AtPennDOT,thedesignatedpointofcontactwillbeGlennRowe,P.E.,Chief,PennDOTHighwaySafetyandTraffic
Operations.Designatedpointsofcontactforeachofpartnersincludethefollowing:

CityofPittsburgh:AlexPazuchanics;alex.pazuchanics@pittsburghpa.gov
PennStateUniversity:EricDonnell;edonnell@engr.psu.edu
PoconoRaceway:KevinHenry:kevinh@poconoraceway.com

4. Ifmakinguseofpublicroads,theapplicantdemonstratesthatithasengagedwithanyaffected
communitiesandcanshowthatitisactivelyworkingwiththosecommunitiestoaddressanyconcerns.
StatepolicyrecommendsthatHAVtestersshalldefineanddocumenttheODDforeachHAVthatwillbetested
usingpublictrafficways.BasedontheODD,theHAVshouldobeygoverningtrafficlawsandfollowtherulesofthe
roadfortheregionofoperation.InlightofUbersSeptember2016announcementofautomatedvehicletesting
downtownPittsburgh,theCityhasworkedcloselywithresidentstoaddresssafetyconcernsandwillcontinueto
dosoasadditionalfirmsmovetowardtestingundertheProvingGroundeffort.Noincidentshavebeenrecorded
relatedtothetesting.

Ourapplicationalsodocumentslettersofsupportfromrelevantsurroundingcommunities,suchastheCityof
PittsburghandtheBoroughofStateCollege.

PoconoRacewayoperatesaclosedtrackfacilityoutsideofthepublicdomain.
G. AdherencetoLaws,Regulations,andFederalPolicy

1.

Thedegreetowhichtheapplicationaddresseshowtheautomatedtestingfacilitywilladheretoallstate
andlocallawsandFederalregulations.

Astheownerandmaintainerofnearly40,000linearmilesofroadwayinPennsylvania,PennDOTwillretainits
traditionalresponsibilityfortrafficlawsandenforcement,andmotorvehicleinsuranceandliabilityregimes.PSUis
alsoaclosedcoursebutistestingHAVtransitvehiclesalreadyandisabidingbyrelevantlaws.Poconoisaclosed
course.
2.

Ifmakinguseofpublicroads,theapplicantdemonstratesadherencetothoseprimarysubjectareasoutlined
inNHTSAspolicyforautomatedvehiclesforanytestingordeploymentofL3L5systemsonpublicroads.

StatepolicyrecommendsthatHAVtestersshallselfcertifythattheyhavemettherequirementsofenacted
PennsylvanialegislationgoverningHAVtesting.Moreover,thestatesVehicleCode(Title75)requiresthatvehicles
bedrivenbyalicenseddriver,inthedriversseat.

14

Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

Small and Disadvantaged Business Participation

PennDOThasestablishedaDisadvantagedBusinessEnterprise(DBE)Programinaccordancewiththeregulations
ofUSDOT,49CFRPart26(Part26).ThedepartmentreceivesfederalfinancialassistancefromUSDOT,andasa
conditionofreceivingthisassistance,thedepartmenthassignedanassurancethatitwillcomplywithPart26.
PennDOThasgivengreaterattentiontotheissueofdiversityinitshiringandprocurement.Thisincludesoutreach
tothedisadvantagedbusinesscommunity.Arecentseriesoffacilitiescontractsforexampleincludednearly34
percentbeingawardedtocertifiedsmallbusinessesandnearly13percenthavingacommitmenttoengagesmall
businesses.
Ourtransportationsecretary,LeslieRichards,isasoughtafterspeakeratconferencesonthedevelopmentofHAV
technology.Ms.RichardsinfactwasrecentlyhonoredasFemaleInnovatoroftheYearforaGovernmentorNon
Profitwith2,500employeesandFemaleExecutiveoftheYearinthesamecategorybytheinternationalStevie
AwardsforWomeninBusiness.
Ourpartnersexhibitvaryingdegreesofdiversityintheirbusinesspractices.
AtPSU,theirtesttrackteamhasgenerallybeenabletocompleteitsautomatedconnectedvehicle
research/development/testingusingitsownfulltimestaffandgraduatestudents.Theinstitutionisopento
includingaminorityinstitutionorbusinesspartnerinitsworkandiscommittedtoidentifyingthosepartners.
PoconoRacewaysChairmanoftheBoardisMarylouiseMcNally.PoconoRacewayisinfacttheonlyNASCAR
racetrackthatisheadedbyawoman.Moreimportantly,arecentstudybyEastStroudsburgUniversityfoundthat
PoconoRacewaycontributes$257.5milliontotheincomeofNortheastPennsylvaniaresidents,supports2,750
jobs,andgeneratesalmost$15millionintaxrevenuefortheCommonwealthofPennsylvaniaand$8millionoftax
revenueforlocalandfederalgovernments.Thedesignationwilllikelycompoundthesenumbers,helpingthe
racetracktosupportthetenantsoftheObamaAdministrationsLaddersofOpportunityformany.Anincrease
inincomeforresidents,supportingmorejobsandgeneratingmorerevenueforlocal,state,andfederal
governmentscanberealizedthroughtheexpansionofthemixeduseofthefacilityandscheduleofoperations
beyondmajormotorsportevents.

IV. Conclusion
PennDOTisintheuniqueandadvantageouspositiontofulfilourNHTSAdefinedroleastheleadagencyfor
advancingHAVtechnologyinPennsylvania.Asasupporterandfacilitatorfortheproposedprovinggrounds,
PennDOTwillworkcloselywiththeUSDOTtoensureanemphasisonsafety,innovation,sharingandmanagement
ofdata,andafocusonminoritybusinessinvolvement.Thecollaborativerelationshipswehavewithourpartners
allowustoworkwithHAVtestersimmediatelyinanenvironmentcustomtailoredtothetestersneeds.The
scalabilityofourapproachensuresthattheinvestmentswemaketodaywillbeabletobeexpandedtoothertest
tracksandcorridorsacrossthestateovertime.

15

Proposal Pennsylvania Proving Grounds Pilot Application

Appendix: Letters of Support

Ourapplicationissupportedbythefollowingagenciesandprofessionalsocieties:

PennDOTSecretaryofTransportation
SenatorJohnRafferty
RepresentativeMarkKeller
CityofPittsburgh/MayorPedutosOffice
AlleghenyCounty
CarnegieMellonUniversity
ITSPA
MidAtlanticSectionoftheInstituteofTransportationEngineers(MASITE)
PennsylvaniaTurnpikeCommission(PTC)
UniversityofPittsburgh
SouthwesternPennsylvaniaCommission(SPC)
UrbanRedevelopmentAuthorityofPittsburgh
UniversityofPennsylvania

Lettersofsupportfromtheseentitiescanbefoundintheattachedappendix.

16

COMMITTEES

44TH DISTRICT

JOHN C. RAFrERTY, JR.

TRANSPORTATION, CHAIRMAN

JUDICIARY, VICE CHAIRMAN

SENATE BOX 203044

20 EAST WING
HARRISBURG. PA 17120-3044
(7171 707-1398
FAX (7171 703.4507

3810 GERMANTOWN PIKE, SUITE B

COLI.EGEVILLE, PA 19426
SIC- 83 1-0030
FAX 6IO-831.883T

THE SHOPPES AT PUGHTOWN

2325 POTTSTOWN PIKE
POTTSTOWN, PA 19465
610-469-8390
FAX 610.459.5394

APPROPRIATIONS
BANKING

LAW AND JUSTICE

ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN

VETERANS CENTER

enu1r it rrnisg1uuuiu

JOINT STATE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION,

VICE CHAIRMAN
PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON
CRIME AND DELINQUENCY
PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON
SENTENCING

INTERNET EMAIL ADORESS:

jrofferiy@posen gov
WEB S FrEt
5eflOIOnO fieny. corn

INSURANCE

CONSUMER PROTECTION &

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE

December 15. 2016

TARGETED COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION

AND CRIME PREVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue. SE
Washington. D.C. 20590
Dear Secretan Foxx:
I vrite to convey my support for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportations (PennDOT)
application for the U.S. Department of Transportations (USDOT) Solicitation of Proposals for
Designation of Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds Pilot.
PennDOT developed a visionary proposal that incorporates the necessary stakeholders from
government, academia and industry in promoting the testing and advancement of Highly Automated
Vehicle (HAV) technology.
PennDOTs role as a convener and facilitator of the development of HAV technology within
Pennsylvania is in alignment with the National l-lighway Traffic Safety Administrations recent guidance.
which noted a Lead agency for HAV technology within each state. With this application. PennDOT
continues its leadership role in promoting this lechnology within Pennsylvania while ensuring that public
safety is maintained.
The suggested methodology outlined in PennDOTs proposal will bring many benefits to
Pennsylvania and for the expansion of HAV technoloav in general. The matrix approach that PennDOT
proposes to employ ensures that collaboration is built-in between government, academia and industn. The
scalability of the proposed approach also means that success within the initial three testing facilities can
eventually be expanded to include other facility types and operating environments.
Thank you for your continued leadership in the United Srntes and for your efforts to advance
HAV technology. I hope you consider the merits of this proposal and thank you in advance for your
consideration. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Nolan Ritchie ofmy statIat (717) 787-1398.
Very Truly Yours,

John C. Rafferty. Jr.

J C RJnrr

December19,2016
TheHonorableAnthonyFoxx
SecretaryofTransportation
U.S.DepartmentofTransportation
1200NewJerseyAvenue,SE
Washington,DC20590
DearSecretaryFoxx:
ItiswithgreatpridethatthePennsylvaniachapterofITSAmericaendorsesthePennsylvania
DepartmentofTransportations(PennDOT)applicationforDesignationofAutomated
VehicleProvingGroundsPilot.ThisapplicationepitomizeswhatITSPennsylvania(ITSPA)is
dedicatedto:advancingresearch,development,anddeploymentofIntelligent
TransportationSystems(ITS)toimprovethenationssurfacetransportationsystem.
PennDOThasdevelopedavisionaryproposalthatincorporatesthenecessarystakeholders
fromacademia,stategovernment,andindustryinpromotingthetestingandadvancement
ofhighlyautomatedvehicle(HAV)technology.PennDOTsroleasaconvenerandfacilitator
ofthedevelopmentofautomatedvehicletechnologywithinPennsylvaniaisinalignment
withNHTSAsrecentguidance.FederalpolicyissuedinSeptembernotedthatthereshould
bealeadagencyforHAVwithineachstate.Withthisapplication,PennDOTcontinuesits
leadershiproleinadvancingthistechnologywithinPennsylvaniawhileensuringthatpublic
safetyiscontinuouslymaintained.ThesuggestedmethodologyoutlinedinPennDOTs
proposalwillbringmanybenefitstoPennsylvaniaandfortheadvancementofHAV
technologyingeneral.Ifawarded,ITSPAanditsmembersstandreadytoprovidetechnical
assistancetoPennDOTandotherinvolvedstakeholders.
ITSPAisexcitedtoprovidesupportofthisapplication.ITSPAcommitsourorganization's
supporttofurthertheproposedeffortsinthisapplication.Welookforwardtohearingsoon
aboutPennDOTsprogressinthisuniqueendeavor.Pleasedonothesitatetocontactme
shouldyouhaveanyfurtherquestionsorconcerns.
Thankyouforyourconsideration,

LaurieMatkowski
President,ITSPennsylvania
lmatkowski@dvrpc.org

MidAtlanticSectionofITE
December15,2016
USDOTProvingGroundLetterofSupport

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Re:

Designation of Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds Pilot

Dear Secretary Foxx:

I am writing to convey my support for PennDOTs application for the U.S. Department of
Transportations Solicitation of Proposals for Designation of Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds Pilot.
In responding to USDOTs solicitation, PennDOT has developed a visionary proposal that incorporates
the necessary stakeholders from academia, state government, and the industry in promoting the testing
and advancement of highly automated vehicle (HAV) technology.
PennDOTs role as a convener and facilitator of the development of autonomous vehicle technology
within Pennsylvania is in alignment with NHTSAs recent guidance. Federal policy issued in September
noted that there should be a lead agency for HAV within each state. With this application, PennDOT
continues its leadership role in advancing this technology within Pennsylvaniawhileensuringthat
publicsafetyiscontinuouslymaintained.

The suggested methodology outlined in PennDOTs proposal will bring many benefits to Pennsylvania
and for the advancement of HAV technology in general. The matrix approach that PennDOT proposes to
employ ensures that collaboration is built in between government, academia, and the industry. The
scalability of the proposed approach also means that success within the initial three testing proving
grounds can eventually be expanded to include other facility types and operating environments. As such,
the proposal offers a platform for future success.
Thank you for your continued leadership in the United States and for your efforts to advance automated
vehicle technology. I hope you consider the merits of this proposal and thank you in advance for your
consideration. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact me via
phone (717.221.2056) or e-mail (jbergsten@mbakerintl.com). Thank you.
Sincerely,

Jeffrey G. Bergsten, P.E.

2016 MASITE President