Overview
Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) manages GoMentum Station, a 5,000–acre former naval weapons station, which features more than 20 miles of paved roadway, two 1400-foot tunnels, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks, railroad crossings, potholes, a smart signal lab, and a mini-city that can support multimodal testing. Founded by the CCTA and managed by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah (AAA NCNU), this unique test bed provides an opportunity for test partners to push their technology to its limits while testing within a controlled environment.
GoMentum Station has previously been designated as one of 10 nationwide “Autonomous Vehicle Proving Grounds” by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
The Goal
Positioning CCTA and its partner GoMentum Station as a premier model for autonomous vehicle research and development to federal stakeholders and other interested parties on a national level.
The Strategy
TG&A provides strategic advice and counsel to ensure CCTA/GoMentum is considered at the highest levels of U.S. transportation policy and funding decisions. This includes maintaining strong relationships to facilitate regular meetings with key policymakers in the U.S. Congress and federal agencies, like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These relationships and strong lines of communication have led to significant federal investments and have allowed CCTA to substantially influence transportation policy on a national level.
The Results
• In September 2022, CCTA hosted U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg NHTSA Administrator Steven Cliff at GoMentum Station. In this setting, CCTA showcased different test zones at GoMentum and the Secretary and Administrator participated in innovative demonstrations underway at the site.
• As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, CCTA received $1.2 million in Community Project Funding. This will fund a smart signal system upgrade throughout Contra Costa County to mitigate congestion and improve the movement of goods and services around the area.
• In 2019, CCTA/GoMentum was selected to receive $7.5 million from the Automated Driving Systems pilot program, a highly competitive and first-of-its-kind grant administered by USDOT to develop and deploy autonomous vehicle technology for real-world demonstrations. The projects include: shared autonomous transportation for a Walnut Creek senior community; autonomous vehicle shuttle service with a self-docking wheelchair apparatus for patients at County Hospital in Martinez; and the preparation of the Interstate 680 corridor for future connected autonomous vehicles.
• Also in 2019, CCTA’s “Bay Area Mobility-On-Demand” project was successfully selected for $8 million in federal funding by USDOT, to develop an on-demand platform seamlessly connecting shared mobility options to intuitively connect people, places, and things. Of the 10 selected recipients from a pool of more than 50 applicants, who collectively requested more than a quarter of a billion dollars, CCTA was the only county-level agency to win an award. Eight other awardees were State Departments of Transportation.
• In 2018, CCTA and GoMentum Station were granted permission by NHTSA to operate a shared autonomous vehicle (SAV) on public roads in Bishop Ranch, CA, the largest mixed-use business community in Northern California. This was the first time that the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allowed an SAV to travel on public roads in the state. Working with state and federal regulators since 2016, CCTA was able to lead a visionary pilot demonstration project testing electric, low-speed, multi-passenger autonomous vehicles unequipped with a steering wheel, brake pedal, or accelerator.
• In 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) designated GoMentum Station as one of its 10 nationwide “Autonomous Vehicle Proving Grounds,” selected from a competitive process of more than 60 nominees.
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