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Westmoreland County Unveils $3.2M Autonomous-Vehicle Test Track on Former Airport Site

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. s-vehicle-test-track-on-former-airport-site.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Monday, December 8th 2025 at 18:27 GMT by WTAE-TV
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Westmoreland County Commences Construction of a New Autonomous‑Vehicle Testing Ground

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, has officially launched a sizeable infrastructure project that will position it as a regional hub for autonomous‑vehicle (AV) research and testing. The county’s board of supervisors approved the construction of a 50‑acre test track that will span roughly 4.2 miles, incorporating a mix of straightaways, turns, intersections, traffic‑signal scenarios, and pedestrian crosswalks. The project will cost about $3.2 million, with the bulk of the funding coming from the county’s own budget, a $1.5 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and a federal contribution from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Project Details

• Location: The test track is slated to occupy the former site of the Westmoreland County Airport in Greensburg. The county officials noted that the airstrip’s long, flat runway offers an ideal starting point for an AV test circuit. The site sits adjacent to the county’s main interstate corridor, allowing easy access for vehicles and personnel.

• Scope & Layout: The track will include a 1.5‑mile oval for high‑speed runs, multiple 90‑degree turns, a 3‑lane segment that will be used for intersection and merging tests, and a dedicated “mixed‑traffic” zone that will be outfitted with traffic lights, stop signs, and crosswalks. In total, the design will provide a full spectrum of real‑world driving conditions, from rural highways to urban intersections.

• Technology & Equipment: The track will feature a series of embedded sensors—LIDAR, radar, cameras, and GPS‑based beaconing systems—that will allow autonomous vehicles to map their surroundings with high fidelity. The county is also partnering with a local university—currently the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Autonomous Systems—to help manage the data infrastructure and provide research support.

• Timeline: Groundbreaking took place last week, and the county expects construction to be completed by early 2025. A phased opening is planned, with the first “closed‑loop” test runs to begin in the summer of 2024.

Funding & Partnerships

The $3.2 million budget is made up of three primary sources:

1. County Allocation – $1.4 million is coming directly from the county’s transportation and community development funds.
2. PennDOT Grant – $1.5 million was awarded through the state’s Highway Safety Innovation Fund, which specifically supports projects that can reduce crash rates and enhance road safety.
3. NHTSA Contribution – A $0.3 million grant was secured through NHTSA’s “Autonomous Vehicle Test Track” program, which aims to create a national network of testing facilities.

Additionally, the county has secured a memorandum of understanding with Waymo, the autonomous‑driving subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., and a small‑scale partnership with Aurora, a Seattle‑based AV developer. These companies will be among the first to conduct full‑scale vehicle trials on the new track. While the collaborations are still in early stages, officials anticipate that the county will host multiple testing teams over the next few years.

Quotes From Key Stakeholders

• County Commissioner Sarah M. McGinnis (who led the project’s oversight committee) said, “We’re excited to bring cutting‑edge technology to our community. This track will not only provide a safer environment for autonomous testing but will also create high‑skill jobs and spur economic growth.”

• Dr. Ethan Kim, Director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Autonomous Systems, noted, “Our research team is thrilled to work with Westmoreland County. The track’s diverse scenarios will help us refine algorithms for navigation, collision avoidance, and human‑machine interaction.”

• Waymo’s Public Relations Officer highlighted, “We’ve been exploring test‑track opportunities nationwide, and Westmoreland County offers an ideal mix of infrastructure and a supportive local government. It’s a strategic location for the next generation of autonomous mobility.”

Links to Supplementary Information

The article includes several hyperlinks that provide deeper context and official documentation:

• Westmoreland County Transportation Department – A PDF of the county’s 2023 budget and the board’s meeting minutes detailing the project’s approval.
• PennDOT Highway Safety Innovation Fund – The state agency’s page outlining eligibility criteria and funding opportunities for road‑safety projects.
• NHTSA Autonomous Vehicle Testing Guidance – Federal guidance documents that set the safety standards for AV test tracks across the country.
• University of Pittsburgh Institute for Autonomous Systems – A news release describing the academic partnership and the research agenda that will be pursued on the track.
• Waymo’s Test‑Track Portfolio – A visual map of existing Waymo test sites nationwide, illustrating how Westmoreland County fits into the larger network.

Why This Matters

1. Safety & Reliability – By providing a controlled yet realistic environment, the track will allow manufacturers to rigorously test safety protocols before deploying AVs on public roads. Early detection of software glitches or sensor‑fusion errors could prevent crashes and reduce liability.

2. Economic Growth – The project is projected to generate 25–30 construction jobs during the build phase and dozens of permanent positions for operations, maintenance, and research staff. Local businesses—such as automotive suppliers, tech start‑ups, and logistics firms—stand to benefit from proximity to a high‑tech testing hub.

3. Academic & Industrial Collaboration – The partnership between the county and the University of Pittsburgh sets a precedent for public‑private research models that could inspire similar initiatives in other Mid‑Atlantic states.

4. Policy Development – The data collected at the test track will feed into state and federal policy discussions regarding autonomous‑vehicle certification, liability frameworks, and infrastructure upgrades.

5. Community Engagement – County officials plan a “public open house” during the final construction phase, giving residents the chance to tour the facility, meet industry partners, and learn about the future of transportation.

Looking Ahead

Once operational, Westmoreland County’s autonomous‑vehicle test track will likely serve as a testbed for a variety of applications beyond passenger cars, including autonomous trucks, delivery drones, and even automated public‑transport buses. The county’s leadership believes that early adoption of these technologies will put them on the front lines of the transportation revolution, attract high‑tech talent, and solidify Westmoreland County’s reputation as an innovation leader in the Pittsburgh region.

For now, the community can celebrate the beginning of a multi‑year investment that marries safety, technology, and economic opportunity. The construction crews are on the move, and the track will soon become the proving ground for the vehicles of tomorrow.