Companies that are developing self-driving cars and other advanced automotive technologies are getting a tour of Rhode Island locations where they can test their ideas.
Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti says the expo that began Thursday is the first part of a process to bring cutting-edge transportation innovations to the state.
The state has invited companies and other researchers to submit their proposals for high-tech transit projects by Oct. 4.
Representatives from carmaker General Motors and ride-hailing app Lyft were among the speakers at a Thursday summit at the New England Institute of Technology.
The conference will be followed by a scheduled Friday tour that will visit highway shoulders, the future Pawtucket/Central Falls transit center, downtown Providence, Quonset Business Park and the University of Rhode Island campus.
