On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, Jeff interviews veteran Michigan pollster Bernie Porn, president of Epic-MRA. Topics include the public comfort level with automated vehicle technology, polling on road funding solutions in Michigan and alternatives, and the recent discussion about revising Michigan’s legislative term limit law:

— As Michigan automotive and technology industries, government agencies and academia continue to collaborate and lead on the public policy to support development of automated vehicles, public perception is evolving.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/mobility/2019/09/12/michigan-self-driving-car-testing-programs-get-major-federal-grant/2290311001/

Between polling in 2018 and again in early 2019, Epic-MRA saw a slight shift in people’s perceptions of automated vehicles.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/2019_MDOT_Self-drivingCars_EpicPoll_669727_7.pdf

There is a pronounced generational divide on the topic, with elderly people being much more averse despite the view of many that automated vehicles will bring mobility and independence later in life.

Driverless Cars for Seniors: Will it improve quality of life?

https://www.theseniorlist.com/blog/driverless-cars-for-seniors/

— Views on tolling and vehicle miles traveled. An Epic-MRA poll in Michigan in August found 42 percent favor some degree of tolling while 49 percent oppose.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT_Fees_EpicPoll_669728_7.pdf

A question about assessing a fee based on miles traveled found 33 percent in favor while 57 percent oppose. Still, some states are piloting vehicle miles traveled (VMT) programs as others conclude that people are driving more miles but consuming fewer gallons of fuel.

State moves closer to decision on phasing out the gas tax | Tacoma News Tribune

https://www-1.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article232744457.html

— How might a change to Michigan’s term limit law affect the ongoing debate about restoring Michigan roads?

Anti-gerrymandering group may team with Michigan GOP to tackle term limits | Bridge Magazine

https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/anti-gerrymandering-group-may-team-gop-tackle-term-limits

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