The city of Chula Vista, California will join several locations across the United States as a “proving ground” to test autonomous vehicles, after the Chula Vista City Council approved the testing of these vehicles within city limits on June 13.

Testing, which is expected to begin next year, will take place on the streets of Chula Vista, as well as on Interstate-15 (where driverless vehicles were tested 20 years ago), and State Route 125 in the South Bay.

“Already, businesses are here that are involved in emerging technology,” says Bill Valle, Chula Vista City Engineer, via NBC San Diego.

Through an article from cbs8.com, Valle addresses the importance of getting out in front of this technology, so that the city can plan and prepare accordingly.

“Being on the cutting edge of that, knowing what is coming and where it is will really help us plan an even smarter city," he says. “We will know where to make investments and infrastructure improvements.”

In order to test this technology, manufacturers of autonomous vehicles and technologies must apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and be granted approval to test a vehicle in autonomous technology mode on public roads.

There are already more than 30 car and technology companies who have permits to operate autonomous vehicles in the state of California.