Connected vehicle technology is now being implemented on metro Detroit’s roads

In a groundbreaking move to revolutionize road safety and efficiency, a new connected and automated vehicle technology pilot project has been launched on westbound Interstate 94 near Belleville in Van Buren Township. Motorists will notice three-foot tall white poles in the far left lane, marking a lane dedicated to testing this innovative technology.

The project, a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Transportation and Cavnue, aims to enhance road safety and efficiency by allowing connected cars to communicate with the roadway and with each other. This three-mile stretch of roadway between Haggerty and Rawsonville roads is the first connected and automated vehicle corridor on a freeway in the country.

The pilot project, anticipated to run until December 2025, is just one example of how connected vehicle technology is being adopted in Metro Detroit. Other counties like Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne are also implementing similar technologies to improve road safety and efficiency.

Experts believe that smarter roads equipped with connected vehicle technology could significantly reduce car accidents and fatalities. The technology allows for real-time communication between vehicles and the roadway infrastructure, enabling better control of vehicles in various conditions.

This pilot project is the first step towards a larger vision of creating a technology-enabled express lane along each direction of I-94 between Ann Arbor and Detroit. If successful, this project could serve as a model for road agencies across the country to adopt similar technologies and improve road safety and efficiency.