Mcity tests and demonstrates emerging connected and automated vehicle technologies in real-world conditions on the roads of Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan.
Real-World Studies
Deploying emerging technologies to the roads of Mcity’s living laboratories enables U-M researchers and Mcity industry partners to study the feasibility and impact of these new technologies in real-world environments. These studies include a fleet of connected vehicles operating on the streets of Ann Arbor, and the recently completed Mcity Driverless Shuttle research project that operated on U-M’s North Campus.
Connected Vehicles in Arbor
Mcity, in partnership with the U-M Transportation Research Institute, has 2,500 vehicles operating throughout a connected vehicle infrastructure in Ann Arbor– the largest connected vehicle deployment in the United States. These privately-owned cars and trucks, plus city buses, along with selected intersections, curves, and freeway sites, are equipped with Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) devices. These devices communicate information such as vehicle position, speed, and direction of travel that can be used to alert drivers of potential crash situations. The data collected from these vehicles can inform the work of developers building safety and other applications for widespread use.
From Ann Arbor to the World
Ultimately, what we learn in the controlled environment of the Mcity Test Facility can be applied on the streets of Ann Arbor through our connected and automated vehicle deployments, and then shared with Mcity’s industry and government collaborators in Michigan and beyond.
