Date of Award

Spring 3-1-2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Abstract

As Yogi Berra once said, “The future ain’t what it used to be.” This is certainly true today, as even the possibility of cars that can drive themselves is becoming more of a reality. An assumption of this research effort is that the California Highway Patrol (CHP), which was created in 1929, might become irrelevant if they do not take this trend in automotive technology seriously. As a law enforcement agency, the CHP is California’s State Police, and responsible for serving California’s ever-increasing number of drivers. As technology from the private sector continues to forge ahead with the development of autonomous (self-driven) vehicles, the policies of the CHP must evolve as well. Autonomous vehicles are proclaimed to transport occupants safely, with sophisticated technology that requires minimal driver input; eventually requiring no human driver to travel safely on the roadways. The policies that CHP Officers currently practice on a daily basis may change drastically once roadways become infiltrated by cars that remove human error from the equation. For example: how does a car with no one in the driver’s seat get pulled over if it’s speeding down the roadway? Thus, the California Highway Patrol should develop policies for the emergence of self-driven vehicles, as this technology will impact the organization when implemented on California's roadways.

The author of this research paper has been employed by the California Highway Patrol as a CHP Officer for over six years. The author has conducted this research paper and accompanying study in pursuit of a Master’s of Public Administration Degree. In no way did the California Highway Patrol endorse, sponsor, or approve this assignment.

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