Driving toward the future
TMA Bucks hosts annual lunch meeting featuring keynote speech by Stephen Buckley on automated cars
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
The idea of a fully automated vehicle, one that could navigate busy intersections and stretching highways with or without a driver, used to only exist on the silver screen. Now, thanks to the rapid pace of technological advancement, this futuristic fantasy may just be our new reality.
According to Stephen Buckley, vice president and northeast manager for planning, environment and traffic for WSP, it’s no longer an “if,” but a “when.” As the keynote speaker at TMA (Transportation Management Association) Bucks’ annual luncheon meeting held at the scenic Northampton Valley Country Club in Richboro on June 20, Buckley provided transportation professionals in attendance with updates on where car manufacturers currently are in the race to perfecting the automated vehicle.
Buckley explained a full market saturation is expected within the next 20 to 30 years, so what he referred to as “zombie cars” won’t be flooding the streets just yet. Right now, he said the goal is to raise awareness of the technology and prepare drivers for how it will inevitably affect them.
“No one has this figured out,” he said. “No one knows how this is going to land.”
Though the thought of a self-driving car is incomprehensible to many, partial automated vehicle technology isn’t exactly new. For some time, we’ve grown used to features such as cruise control, pre-built maps and audio devices, which Buckley said place most modern cars at a 2.5 on a five-level scale of automation. Vehicles ranked at a 0 have no automation, while those at a 5 have complete self-driving capabilities.
Buckley was transparent about the fact that there’s still a long way to go in the development process, but outlined a number of benefits drivers can expect. In addition to economic benefits, with a fully automated car from Honda estimated to cost $20,000, predictions include increased travel options and distances traveled, reduced stress on the road, reduced fuel consumption and emissions, and reduced incident-related congestion and collisions, with a projected half a million lives saved annually.
Similar to how things operate today, Buckley said there will be two modes of automated vehicles — private ownership and shared mobility, which includes taxis, Uber and Lyft. By 2030, it’s believed a ride in an autonomous Uber would cost approximately 50 cents a mile.
So what could all of this mean for Bucks County drivers? According to Buckley, there would most likely be a strong market for privately owned automated vehicles, with residents slowly but surely making the switch.
In addition to Buckley’s speech (and a hearty spread of pasta, salad and an Oreo mousse dessert), the meeting included a statement from TMA Bucks president Philip Wursta, who provided attendees with an update on the state of the organization as it prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Nov. 6. Despite what he called “turbulent times,” which included everything from personnel changes to financial difficulties, Wursta said TMA Bucks managed to re-establish itself as a leader of transportation services.
“We came out thriving,” he said. “We’ve really reinvented ourselves.”
TMA Bucks isn’t the only thing celebrating a major milestone this year. Special plaques were awarded to communications manager David Walter and transit services coordinator Brandon Shaw, who have both been employed with the nonprofit for 10 years.
The afternoon continued with the appointment of Stephen Noll, who has been serving as acting executive director since Sept. 1, 2017, to the role of executive director. Noll, a Dublin Borough native, joined TMA Bucks as its first deputy director in January 2002. Over the years, Noll has been a key participant in many large-scale projects, including the $150 million Quakertown-Landsdale commuter rail restoration and a regionally recognized effort to integrate compressed natural gas fueling in Bucks County’s public and private fleets.
“I am honored to lead this outstanding organization moving forward,” Noll said. “I really think it is important that as a TMA we continue strong information and educational programming, expanding and creating more community engagement and growing the organization with business partners who share our goal of addressing transportation issues, reducing traffic congestion, and improving public transportation access in Bucks County.”
Noll then touched on a few highlights of TMA Bucks’ year thus far. For only the second time in the 11-year history of its Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge, one school (Conwell-Egan) won both categories of highest overall seat belt use and greatest increase in use.
He also explained how the organization is taking an active approach in promoting public transportation options while construction continues to take place on I-95 and 295, primarily through a stronger social media presence. According to Noll, one tweet warning about closures on Old Lincoln Highway received 35,000 views, an achievement he said would’ve been impossible in the days when announcements were faxed.
“I couldn’t imagine faxing 35,000 alerts,” he laughed. ••
TMA Bucks is located at Seven Neshaminy Interplex, Suite 103 in Trevose, with extended hours for those wishing to pick up a SEPTA Key Card. For more information, visit tmabucks.com.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
