This session will unpack real-world experiences related to planning roadway infrastructure for emerging technologies. Upon completion, participants will learn how to plan for and deploy CAVs, V2X to future-proof corridors, and understand ways to scale a more accessible and inclusive mobility.
Today, more than 270 vehicle models offer advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) features such as lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and collision avoidance. By 2030, the majority of vehicles on Texas roadways will include partially automated driving features, including transit fleets and trucks. With the rapid advancement of smarter vehicles on its roadways, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has a unique opportunity to develop ways to validate and test these technologies for safe operation and realize the full public benefits. Additionally, it is the responsibility of local and regional transportation agencies to keep pace with these technological advancements and ensure that Central Texas remains a hub for innovative methods that improve the safety and reliability of their roads.
The session aims to provide some insights into different initiatives undertaken by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to prepare their infrastructure to meet the needs of emerging technologies. Panelists will share how TxDOT is currently facilitating the use of CAV technologies to design the next generation of roadway infrastructure that will provide safety, mobility, connectivity, equity and sustainability benefits to our communities.
Megan Dutton
Invited Speaker
Project Manager, Advance Project Development, Texas Department of Transportation
Megan is a Licensed Professional Engineer who is currently expanding her project and program management experience by overseeing Schematic Development and Feasibility Studies in the Advanced Project Development section at the Austin District of TxDOT. She has previously managed Alternative Delivery …
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Project Manager, Advance Project Development, Texas Department of Transportation
Megan is a Licensed Professional Engineer who is currently expanding her project and program management experience by overseeing Schematic Development and Feasibility Studies in the Advanced Project Development section at the Austin District of TxDOT. She has previously managed Alternative Delivery (Design-Build) projects and has nine years of experience in Dam Safety regulations, maintenance, and related hydrologic and hydraulic analyses.
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Akila Thamizharasan
Invited Speaker
Director, Advance Project Development, Texas Department of Transportation
Akila Thamizharasan, P.E., PTOE, PMP, has more than 21 years of experience in the transportation industry. She holds a Master's degree in Transportation Engineering from Clemson University and has worked for several multinational transportation firms in the private sector. During her career, …
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Director, Advance Project Development, Texas Department of Transportation
Akila Thamizharasan, P.E., PTOE, PMP, has more than 21 years of experience in the transportation industry. She holds a Master's degree in Transportation Engineering from Clemson University and has worked for several multinational transportation firms in the private sector. During her career, she has gained extensive experience in managing a broad range of transportation projects, including traffic engineering studies, roadway design, multimodal projects, and systems planning. With a strong desire to serve the public, she transitioned to the public sector and has been leading programs at the Texas Department of Transportation since 2019. Currently, she serves as the Director of Advanced Project Development at TxDOT's Austin District, where she oversees project delivery, programming, local government, schematics, and environmental programs.
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Akik Patel
Invited Speaker
Akik Patel, AICP is a project manager with AECOM and specializes in connected and automated vehicle (CV/AV) strategic planning and programming; developing ITS and TSMO plans and technology pilot deployments. He has worked with public agencies on several innovative projects, including the CAT Strategic and Program Plan development; and the …
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Akik Patel, AICP is a project manager with AECOM and specializes in connected and automated vehicle (CV/AV) strategic planning and programming; developing ITS and TSMO plans and technology pilot deployments. He has worked with public agencies on several innovative projects, including the CAT Strategic and Program Plan development; and the first CAV corridor feasibility study in Texas. He also co-led the development of the Infrastructure Owner Operator (IOO) Strategic Roadmap for Accelerated Adoption of AVs Project commissioned by the Automated Vehicle Pooled Fund Study (AV PFS). He has a detailed understanding of data analytics and visualization using Tableau, ArcGIS Pro, and PowerBI. His diverse project background allows him to bring innovation to planning and engineering projects.
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