As self-driving cars and trucks become more popular, so will the need for new types of careers, says John Maddox, president and CEO of the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, one of 10 federally designated proving grounds for developing and testing self-driving vehicles. The nonprofit facility brainstormed with executives at companies advancing autonomous vehicles to figure out what types of skills will be required of workers, Maddox says. The group first determined what the industry needs now, such as engineers to develop these products and services, as well as planners and lawyers, and then brainstormed what types of professionals the companies will need to hire in the future. Related: Will our jobs be as easily replaced as our technology? Then ACM reached out to an academic consortium of 15 universities, community colleges and tech schools in Michigan, for them to begin developing programs to train students on the kinds of skills that will be needed when more autonomous vehicles are on the road, he says. The facility is now working with schools in other states including Texas, and Pennsylvania will be next. "We believe education is a critical component of advancing automation vehicle deployment," Maddox says. But it's not just about new careers: ACM has commissioned a workforce study from Michigan State University and Texas A&M Transportation Institute to begin to understand and quantify impacts on today's transportation jobs. The study focuses on driving-related jobs including professional truck drivers, taxi drivers and delivery drivers. "The impacts depend largely on the way that the technology will really be introduced and utilized, as well as the readiness and rate of introduction," Maddox says.