Programs
There are some programs lead by USDOT where the viability of connected vehicles is being investigated. USDOT’s goal of zero fatalities is one of the leading drivers towards studying CVs. Moreover, traffic managers have data to assess transportation performance in real-time traffic accurately.
Additionally, the optimization of fuel efficiency is another driver of such research. The USDOT has six areas of parallel research including V2V communication for safety by NHTSA, V2I Communication safety by FHWA, Dynamic Mobility Applications (ITS-JPO/FHWA), Road Weather Management (ITS-JPO/FHWA), Application for the Environment (ITS-JPO/FHWA), and Real-Time Data Capture and Management (ITS-JPO/FHWA) (USDOT ITS-JPO 2020).
Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) Proof of Concept (POC)
Program was initiated in 2005 with VII consortium to test 5.9GHz. The POC development test environment (DTE) executed in the suburbs of Detroit, MI. The key objectives of VII POC are validating the SAE and IEEE standards, providing core services, supporting the simultaneous operation of safety, mobility, and commercial applications, and demonstrating the security and privacy against malicious intrusions.
Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot Program
was founded in 2011 by USDOT and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) to test CV operations in real-world situations, perceive how regular drivers utilize CV technologies, and discovering the safety advantages of CVs. Two elements of the Safety Pilot Program are Safety Pilot Driver Clinics and Safety Pilot Model Deployment. Southeast Michigan Test Bed was implemented in 2007 for the development and test facility for POC to determine the feasibility and limitations of DSRC operating at the 5.9GHz bandwidth. As the VII pilot program has grown, so USDOT initiated the Affiliated Connected Vehicle Test Bed to act as a repository of data, specifications, overviews, and reporting points to collectively assemble all the information about ongoing programs for public access. USDOT organizes association of 5.9GHz DSRC infrastructure equipment producers, workers of V2I installations, and deployment of connected vehicle infrastructure components.
Mobility Transformation Center (MTC)
is an administrative shell under which Michigan City (M-City) operates. The MTC’s goal is to develop an advanced system occupying 32 acres on the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex. The M-City simulates a wide variety of complexities vehicles encounter in urban and rural areas. American Center for Mobility is also a 335-acre historic Willow Run site in Southeast Michigan focused on testing, verification, and self-certification of CAVs.