University of Iowa simulator named as pilot site for driverless cars

The University of Iowa's National Advanced Driving Simulator and the Corridor have been designated by U.S. Department of Transportation the as one of 10 proving ground pilot sites for testing automated vehicle technologies, said Tom Banta, director of strategic growth with the Iowa City Area Development Group.

In a statement released on Friday, Banta said that, 'This is a good first step in establishing this region as a community of practice for this new technology. Now our challenge is to leverage the partnerships that made our application competitive into attracting companies and investment to create more opportunities for our area.”

ICAD Group submitted the application on behalf of the Corridor in partnership with the UI and the Iowa DOT.

Designees were selected from more than 60 applicants, the statement said.

No funding is provided at this time by the DOT as part of the designation, Banta said.