Walworth committee authorizes UW–Milwaukee rural autonomous‑vehicle survey amid safety concerns

The Walworth County Board Executive Committee on Sept. 14 authorized the county administrator to review and approve rural autonomous‑vehicle (RAV) survey instruments developed in conjunction with UW–Milwaukee as part of a multi‑state federal grant.

Committee members debated safety implications of autonomous vehicles in rural settings and whether testing on local roads would mean driverless operations. A staff presentation described the county as a partner in a roughly $15,000,000 federal grant and said the university will collect user data and use county expenditures as in‑kind match. The university and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation have directed that tests include a licensed driver who can take over at any instant.

"With the driver? With the driver," a member asked during discussion; another member said, "I'm still no... I do not want to get rid of drivers," expressing continued opposition. County staff clarified the vote before the committee was only to authorize the survey instrument, not to change state law or approve driverless operations.

The motion to authorize the County Administrator to review and approve the UW–Milwaukee survey and allow it to be conducted (with final methods subject to university choice) was moved and seconded and passed with recorded opposition. Staff said updates and demonstration scheduling with a Federal DOT division director would be shared with board representatives.