# Autonomous Vehicles in Rural Areas: A Review of Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions
## 3 Results
### Field Test-Based Studies for AVs Deployment in Rural Areas  
Table 1 summarizes the most recent field-based test studies on AVs in rural areas, spanning from 2020 to 2024, with durations ranging from under a year to multi-year projects. The tests fall into two categories: demonstration and deployment. Demonstration projects are exploratory and broad in scope, serving as precursors to deployments, which focus on specific applications and can lead to full services. Two types of AVs are commonly used: low-speed, box-shaped shuttles for short-distance transport and traditional vehicles retrofitted with automation technology, capable of autonomous or manual operation in mixed traffic [54]. Speed capabilities range from 10 mph [67] to 70 mph [68], depending on vehicle design and conditions. High-speed tests focus on highways, while low-speed tests emphasize urban and pedestrian areas. Safety and oversight are prioritized, with most projects using safety drivers or operators to mitigate risks. Hybrid approaches, such as human-driven data gathering, enhance data accuracy. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline
**Project Name/Author, Year** & **Organization** & **Type *** & **Route/Road Types** \\ \hline DriveOhio Project; (2023–2024) [69] & Drive Ohio (U.S. DOT) & Demo & Fixed and on-demand \\ \hline ADS for Rural America Project; (2021–2023) [70] & University of Iowa & Demo & Fixed routes \\ \hline [PERSON] et al.; (2022) [50] & University of Iowa & Demo & Fixed routes \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Recent field test studies on AVs in rural areas. Figure 4: Distribution of methodologies in the literature. The ADS for Rural America project (2021-2023) [70], led by the University of Iowa, evaluated autonomous driving systems (ADS) across six phases [74], testing scenarios like controlled-access highways [75], undivided highways [76], intersections [49], unmarked roads [48], V2V communication [49], and parking [77]. A custom Ford Starlite Transit bus with SAE levels 2 and 3 automation, advanced sensors, and V2I communication was used [33; 78]. Data collection included kinematic data, operational challenges, passenger trust, stress, weather conditions, and feedback through questionnaires [24; 69; 79; 80]. [PERSON] et al. (2022) [50] explored the impact of ADS on older adults' mobility in rural areas with limited public transport by conducting shuttle rides on Iowa's rural routes, including highways and gravel roads. Surveys measured participants' trust, safety perception, and anxiety, with automation levels progressively increasing from 58% in Phase 1 to 93% in Phase 3. The goMARTI (Minnesota's Automated Rural Transit Initiative) [70] provided AV services in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, marking the first large-scale rural AV deployment in harsh winter conditions [81]. Using May Mobility-equipped Toyota Sienna Autono-MaaS vans, including three wheelchair-accessible vehicles, the project covered a 17-square-mile area with 75 pick-up/drop-off points [81]. Operating until spring 2024, it addressed rural challenges like severe winters, limited transportation for the aging population, and community engagement. As of May 2024, five autonomous shuttles had completed 24 months of service, covered over 150,000 miles, and connected key locations like the airport, high school, and hospital, offering free, on-demand rides [37; 82]. In 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) launched two pilot projects, TEDDY and connected autonomous shuttle supporting innovation (CASSI), as part of its Emerging Mobility Initiative. These projects tested automated shuttles to provide public transportation on recreational lands. The TEDDY project used two Olli shuttles, developed by Local Motors and operated by Beep, to transport visitors between the Canyon Village area in Yellowstone National Park and nearby lodges and campgrounds.