Maryland Marks 10 Years of Leadership in Connected and Automated Vehicle Innovation

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Cross-Sector Working Group Continues to Drive Safe, Collaborative Progress

Glen Burnie, MD (December 12, 2025)
- The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) convened with partners from government, academia and industry for the quarterly meeting of the statewide Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) Working Group - marking a decade of coordinated innovation and reaffirming Maryland's commitment to advancing safe, innovative transportation technologies.

As CAV research, testing and deployment accelerate nationally, Maryland emphasized its role as a regional leader prepared to collaborate, innovate and responsibly integrate new technology into the state's transportation system.

"Maryland is proud to be at the forefront of connected and automated vehicle innovation, and the 10-year anniversary meeting reflects how far we've come in building a safe, smart and collaborative path forward," said MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer. "Over the past decade, we've shown that progress is possible when agencies, industry and research institutions work together - and we are excited to continue that momentum as this technology rapidly evolves."

Formed in 2015, Maryland's CAV Working Group serves as the central hub for statewide planning, research and coordination on emerging CAV technologies. The state has established a robust permit process for highly automated vehicle testing and created a one-stop Expression of Interest portal that has drawn interest from 60 companies. Maryland has launched eight major pilot projects including CAV technology on the along the US-1 Innovative Technology Deployment Corridor, CAV parking technology at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) installations in state tunnels.

Through the CAV Working Group, Maryland has awarded nine grants and secured major federal funding, including an $11.9 million Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) grant for the Eastern Shore, and Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grants for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to install and test new cloud-based transit signal priority (TSP) technology at four high-frequency bus lines. Since its inception, the Working Group has grown from coordinating state policy to helping shape national strategies, from AASHTO's National Strategy to USDOT's Roadway Automation Guidance.

The December meeting highlighted the Working Group's significant progress over the past decade, including the development of Maryland's CAV Strategic Framework, statewide stakeholder engagement, expansion of pilot deployments and leadership in national research initiatives. Attendees also heard updates from partners including the District Department of Transportation, Waymo and Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE), with a focus on how sound policy, public trust and collaboration support responsible automation.

Maryland's universities - including Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University and the University of Maryland - continue to play a critical role in advancing research and real-world deployments. Their work spans vehicle-to-everything (V2X) innovation, autonomous shuttle testing, smarter intersections, rural automation strategies, eco-driving research and accessible mobility tools such as autonomous wheelchair technology currently piloted at BWI Marshall Airport.

Looking ahead, Maryland remains committed to ensuring that CAV technologies enhance safety, equity, mobility and economic opportunity across the state. Through strong partnerships with agencies, local governments, academia and the private sector innovators, Maryland will continue shaping responsible deployment and preparing communities for the next decade of innovation.

For more information about Maryland's CAV program or to submit an Expression of Interest for testing or research, visit: cav.mdot.maryland.gov.​