Autonomous Vehicle Implementation into Existing Garrison Infrastructure

Abstract

Military installations exist as hybrid communities and staging areas that support the overarching mission to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Specifically, the Army is currently reevaluating how installations fit as part of the battle space in multi-domain operations. A component of this is adapting and implementing technological advancements, such as the rapidly growing field of connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technology. CAVs, with their array of sensors and software, are able capture, store, and analyze remarkable amounts of data. Military installations have a need to develop an understanding of the data systems involved in CAV deployments.

This thesis explores the basics of autonomous vehicle technology and the regulatory space within which autonomous vehicles will exist when operating on military installations. This research also analyzes an autonomous vehicle shuttle pilot at a military installation as a case study and provides recommendations for future testing and implementation of CAVs on military installations. The recommendations and analysis span across seven research lines of effort and aim to lay a foundation for further research and development to optimize and inform the integration of this technology. This thesis aims to enhance understanding of the process, infrastructure, human factors, and data systems that AV deployments need to consider for successful implementation into existing garrison architecture.