MI Chief Mobility Officer Discusses The Future Of Transportation

Governor Gretchen Whitmer last week announced the creation of the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. Its goal is to work across state government and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility system and pave the way for more electric and autonomous vehicles. Named as Michigan’s chief mobility officer was Trevor Pawl. Speaking on the Michigan Department of Transportation podcast “Talking Transportation,” he said the office is about more than just cars.

“It’s tied to transportation, but the word ‘automotive’ isn’t in there, meaning that it includes automotive, but it also includes all of the other different ways that people and goods move around our state,” Pawl said.

Pawl says his work will involve things like shipping and mass transit. He notes much has to be done to develop systems for deploying autonomous vehicles, something he thinks will be a benefit to the state.

“There’s been almost 10,000 fatal car crashes in Michigan over the last decade, and I believe the national average is 94% of those are attributed to human error. Frankly, the sooner we can deploy a smart infrastructure, the more lives are going to be saved.”

Pawl also wants to vigorously expand the state’s charging station network. Governor Whitmer says it’s more important than ever that the state help industry grow by meeting its needs for mobility.