PAVEcast: A conversation about autonomous vehicles

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we interview Matt Blackburn of Aurora on the findings of a recent Steer Group study highlighting the economic benefits of the autonomous trucking sector. Tune in for a discussion on the importance of separating fact from fiction, the future of the trucking workforce, and real-world consumer impacts.  Further Reading: Read the study   Learn about the US AV Jobs Coal...

Earlier this spring, PAVE and Stantec partnered with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to host an educational and experiential AV Day at the Capitol for state policymakers and other community leaders. Tune in for a conversation exploring the public sector’s role in AV education and engagement, using Minnesota’s recent event as a case study. Speakers include Tara Andringa of PAVE,...

For autonomous vehicles (AVs) and human drivers alike, work zones present complex driving environments. Shifting lane markings, outdated map data, and the presence of human workers can make operating in these dynamic conditions especially challenging. Tune in for a conversation exploring how the AV industry is addressing these challenges and what opportunities lie ahead.

With AVs gaining visibility across the country, many people are asking how their safety compares to that of human drivers. But is a human the right benchmark for safe driving? Tune in for a conversation to explore this topic. Panelists include Michelle Fowler of TRC, Kristofer Kusano of Waymo, and Michael Wagner of Edge Case.

In October 2025, the Autonomous Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC) published a best practice on assessing AV safety case claims supported by evidence. In this episode of the PAVEcast, we sat down with AVSC Executive Director Darcyne Foldenauer to learn more. Darcyne explains the fundamentals of safety cases, the importance of clearly linking evidence to claims, and the need for greater consistency i...

Accessibility is often cited as a key benefit of automated vehicles and emerging mobility technologies, but designing vehicles for wheelchair users is complex. The SAE CivicProgress Challenge was created to help address this gap by empowering college students to develop innovative, real-world solutions for accessible mobility. Established in collaboration with General Motors, the multi-year progra...

With a new administration and Congress, 2025 was widely viewed as a potential turning point for autonomous vehicles. One year later, did the industry’s expectations match reality? Join us for a timely follow-up conversation examining how political and legislative developments have shaped the AV policy landscape. Hilary Cain of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and Finch Fulton of K&L Gate...

2025 was a pivotal year for the autonomous trucking space, as industry leaders moved beyond pilots and industrial use cases toward true long-haul deployment. However, scaling safely and sustainably remains a complex challenge. Tune in for a fireside chat with Andreas Wendel, CTO of Kodiak AI, to explore what it takes to scale driverless operations. In this conversation, Andreas will share insights...

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we sit down with Becca Lehner and Alex Rudin of MITRE to spotlight their recently published research on scaling AV operations centers. Tune in to learn more about MITRE’s Automated Vehicle Research Collaborative (AVRC), key barriers to scaling AV operations centers, what enables successful growth, and how that success can help build public trust in AV technology. L...

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we sit down with Aaron Botwick, Head of Safety at AeroVect. Tune in for a discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities of automating airport logistics, the growing importance of safety cases, and their critical role in building public trust and regulatory compliance for autonomous vehicles. Learn more about AeroVect at https://www.aerovect.com/

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we sit down with Paul Steier, Vice President of Law Enforcement Programs and Services at the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). We discuss how DMVs, law enforcement, and driver education programs are adapting to emerging vehicle technologies. The conversation also highlights the importance of industry collaboration, the challenge of balan...

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we interview Founder & CEO of STEER, Anuja Sonalker. Tune in to learn more about the complexities of depot operations, the challenges of scaling mixed fleets, and how STEER is revolutionizing endpoint autonomy. Learn more about STEER at https://steer-tech.com/ .

How do wheelchair users secure themselves in an autonomous vehicle safely and independently? The United Spinal Association’s SecureRide Coalition is tackling this challenge by bringing together automobile and wheelchair manufacturers, AV companies, disability advocates, and other stakeholders. Tune in for a conversation to learn more about this innovative solution. You'll hear from Bill Nixon...

With the official start of winter only a month away, drivers throughout northern climates are preparing to share the roads with snow and ice. Winter weather presents challenges for human drivers and automated vehicles alike, from reduced visibility to slippery surfaces. Join us for a conversation to explore how AVs perform in adverse conditions. Guests include Justin Johnson of The PLUM Catalyst,...

Perceptions of automated vehicles often focus on robotaxis, but AVs are also transforming how we move people through public transit. Join us for to hear from three industry leaders on the current state of automated transit. Learn about the latest pilot programs, explore existing deployments, and understand the challenges and opportunities that remain on the road ahead. Guests include Cemre Kavvaso...

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we interview Dr. Bryan Reimer, an MIT researcher and co-author of the new book How to Make AI Useful . Dr. Reimer shares his background in the mobility space and discusses what led him to write a book on AI. We also explore how to cut through the AI hype, talk about the complexities of the "messy middle," and consider how these lessons apply to the AV ind...

As technology reshapes the transportation industry, workforce development has become an increasingly important topic. The GoMentum Innovation Alliance, a group led by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), recently conducted a comprehensive Gaps and Needs Assessment to understand current challenges and identify opportunities in preparing the future workforce. Tune in for a conversation...

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we interview Jon Miller, VP of Enterprise Growth at Nexar. Jon discusses his role at Nexar, highlighting the company's mission to transform real-world road data into actionable intelligence through a network of AI-powered dashcams. Jon details Nexar's work with both the public and private sectors, their partnerships with leading AV companies, and the comp...

Autonomous trucking leader Gatik recently unveiled a new simulation platform to accelerate the development and deployment of its self-driving technology. Join us for a fireside chat with the company’s Head of Safety Innovation, Adam Campbell, to learn more about Gatik Arena™. The conversation will cover this new announcement, the role of simulation in AV testing, and the challenges and opportuniti...

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we dive into ADASTEC with the company's CEO, Dr. Ali Peker. Tune in to hear how ADASTEC is working to modernize public transit through automation, making it more accessible, reliable, and scalable. Dr. Ali shares the history of ADASTEC, discusses their worldwide deployments, and talks about the unique challenges and opportunities that come with automating buse...

As automated vehicles (AVs) are deployed across the country, researchers have begun exploring how infrastructure can better support their functionality. A new NCHRP research project, “Infrastructure Modifications to Improve the Operational Conditions of Automated Vehicles,” aims to identify opportunities for improvement and offer guidance to infrastructure owner-operators. Join us for an episode o...

In March 2025, the Autonomous Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC) published a report on the immediate post-crash behaviors and interactions of AVs. Tune in to this episode of the PAVEcast to learn more about the best practice from AVSC's Executive Director, Darcyne Foldenauer. Darcyne discusses the need for consistent and predictable behavior after a crash, the risks they hope to reduce, the rol...

In April 2025, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) partnered with PAVE and Stantec to host the first-ever Louisiana CAV Innovation Day, where over 200 industry and public sector professionals explored the latest in connected and automated vehicle innovation. The event, which featured over 15 exhibitors and a full lineup of programming, highlighted the value of publ...

What are the latest workforce trends in the AV industry? We sat down with James Norton of NGV Talent to find out. Tune in to this episode of the PAVEcast to hear the findings of NGV's recently released Autonomous Vehicle Industry Talent Demand Report and more on the future of the AV workforce. Learn more about NGV Talent: https://ngvtalent.com/ Find NGV Talent on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedi...

Just one month ahead of our inaugural Louisiana CAV Innovation Day, we sat down to interview Louisiana Economic Development's Chief Innovation Officer, Josh Fleig. Tune in to hear how Louisiana is preparing for AVs, what makes the state a competitive place for innovation, and tips for companies looking to get involved in Louisiana's tech ecosystem. Learn more about LED: https://www.oppor...