The Mcity Test Facility is the first purpose-built proving ground for testing connected and automated vehicles and technologies in simulated urban and suburban driving environments. There’s no other facility like it.
Designed for Early Stage Research and Development
Testing new technologies in a safe, controlled environment is essential before deploying automated vehicles on public streets and highways. Working with the Michigan Department of Transportation, we designed Mcity – a unique test facility that simulates the broad range of complexities vehicles encounter in urban and suburban environments. Mcity sits on a 32-acre site on U-M’s North Campus, with about 16 acres of roads and traffic infrastructure. The grounds include approximately five lane-miles of roads with intersections, traffic signs and signals, sidewalks, simulated buildings, street lights, and obstacles such as construction barriers.
Mcity Test Facility Features
- 1000’ North/South straight
- Various road surfaces (concrete, asphalt, brick, dirt)
- Variety of curve radii, ramps
- Two, three, and four-lane roads
- Round-about and “tunnels”
- Sculpted dirt and grassy areas
- Variety of signage and traffic control devices
- Fixed, variable street lighting
- Cross walks, lane delineators, curb cuts, bike lanes, grade crossings
- Hydrants, sidewalks, etc.
- “Buildings” (fixed and movable)
Like many automotive proving grounds, Mcity is a closed facility. Due to safety and confidentiality concerns, access is limited to those involved in testing and research.
