Deployments of connected vehicles and infrastructure on the roads of Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan for the testing and demonstrating of emerging technologies and concepts are an important component of Mcity’s role in transforming mobility.
On-road vehicle deployments serve as “living laboratories” that enable U-M researchers and our industry partners to study the feasibility and impact of new technologies in a real-world environment. Today, Mcity, in partnership with the U-M Transportation Research Institute, has a deployment underway with 1,500 vehicles operating throughout a connected infrastructure in Ann Arbor, and plans to expand to more than 2,000 vehicles – the largest connected vehicle deployment in the United States. This work includes studying the impact of connected technologies on congestion and pedestrian safety.
Mcity is working with our partners to define and develop an advanced system of connected and automated vehicles that will culminate in the launch of an on-demand mobility service in Ann Arbor by 2021.
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.
“Over the last year, thanks to our engagement with Mcity, we’ve been able to help drive innovations in security, data and user experience to help accelerate the deployment of driverless cars.”