How do wheelchair users secure themselves in an autonomous vehicle safely and independently? The United Spinal Association’s SecureRide Coalition is tackling this challenge by bringing together automobile and wheelchair manufacturers, AV companies, disability advocates, and other stakeholders. Tune in for a conversation to learn more about this innovative solution. You'll hear from Bill Nixon of GM, Kent Keyser of the United Spinal Association, Michele Lee of Serve Robotics, and Wayne Grau of NCART.

With the official start of winter only a month away, drivers throughout northern climates are preparing to share the roads with snow and ice. Winter weather presents challenges for human drivers and automated vehicles alike, from reduced visibility to slippery surfaces. Join us for a conversation to explore how AVs perform in adverse conditions. Guests include Justin Johnson of The PLUM Catalyst, Philip Du Toit of Kodiak Robotics, and Dr. Timothy Seitz of the Transportation Research Center (TRC).

Perceptions of automated vehicles often focus on robotaxis, but AVs are also transforming how we move people through public transit. Join us for to hear from three industry leaders on the current state of automated transit. Learn about the latest pilot programs, explore existing deployments, and understand the challenges and opportunities that remain on the road ahead. Guests include Cemre Kavvasoglu of ADASTEC, Chris Lichtmannecker of Mobileye, and Eran Ofir of Imagry.

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we interview Dr. Bryan Reimer, an MIT researcher and co-author of the new book How to Make AI Useful. Dr. Reimer shares his background in the mobility space and discusses what led him to write a book on AI. We also explore how to cut through the AI hype, talk about the complexities of the "messy middle," and consider how these lessons apply to the AV industry.

Show Links:

Learn more about Bryan: https://www.bryanreimer.com/
How to Make AI Useful on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/How-Make-AI-Useful-business/dp/191739148X 

As technology reshapes the transportation industry, workforce development has become an increasingly important topic. The GoMentum Innovation Alliance, a group led by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), recently conducted a comprehensive Gaps and Needs Assessment to understand current challenges and identify opportunities in preparing the future workforce.

Tune in for a conversation with CCTA’s Executive Director, Tim Haile, for an inside look at the initial report. We’ll review the report’s key findings on workforce gaps and needs, and discuss strategies for future success.

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we interview Jon Miller, VP of Enterprise Growth at Nexar. Jon discusses his role at Nexar, highlighting the company's mission to transform real-world road data into actionable intelligence through a network of AI-powered dashcams. Jon details Nexar's work with both the public and private sectors, their partnerships with leading AV companies, and the complexities of solving for the long tail.

Show Links:

Learn more about Nexar: https://www.nexar-ai.com/
Follow Nexar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nexar-inc-/

Autonomous trucking leader Gatik recently unveiled a new simulation platform to accelerate the development and deployment of its self-driving technology. Join us for a fireside chat with the company’s Head of Safety Innovation, Adam Campbell, to learn more about Gatik Arena™. The conversation will cover this new announcement, the role of simulation in AV testing, and the challenges and opportunities that remain for autonomous freight.

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we dive into ADASTEC with the company's CEO, Dr. Ali Peker. Tune in to hear how ADASTEC is working to modernize public transit through automation, making it more accessible, reliable, and scalable. Dr. Ali shares the history of ADASTEC, discusses their worldwide deployments, and talks about the unique challenges and opportunities that come with automating buses.

Learn more about ADASTEC at https://www.adastec.com/.

As automated vehicles (AVs) are deployed across the country, researchers have begun exploring how infrastructure can better support their functionality. A new NCHRP research project, “Infrastructure Modifications to Improve the Operational Conditions of Automated Vehicles,” aims to identify opportunities for improvement and offer guidance to infrastructure owner-operators.

Join us for an episode of the PAVEcast to learn more about the study. Panelists will discuss the infrastructure needs of AVs, explore current and next-generation AV capabilities, and share insights on how the industry and public sector can help support the study's recommendations. You’ll hear from Ashley Nylen of USDOT, Britton Johnson of Kimley-Horn, and Samantha Anderson of Kimley-Horn.

In March 2025, the Autonomous Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC) published a report on the immediate post-crash behaviors and interactions of AVs. Tune in to this episode of the PAVEcast to learn more about the best practice from AVSC's Executive Director, Darcyne Foldenauer. Darcyne discusses the need for consistent and predictable behavior after a crash, the risks they hope to reduce, the role of external communications and remote operators, and more.  

Learn more about AVSC: https://avsc.sae-itc.com/

Read the Best Practice: https://saemobilus.sae.org/reports/avsc-best-practice-automated-driving-system-dedicated-vehicle-ads-dv-immediate-post-crash-behaviors-interactions-avsc-i-05-2025