These days when one car speaks to another it's usually one
angry driving blasting a horn or letting a finger fly. But the Michigan Department of Transportation thinks
it's on to a more palatable way for vehicles to communicate.The U.S. Department of Transportation
recently recognized the MDOT as one of the nation's leaders in developing vehicle
infrastructure integration initiatives. That big fancy phrase means developing
systems where cars can communicate with each other and roadside devices.
The program could be used to alert drivers when a car is
getting too close or when a problem with the road is ahead. The MDOT and Oakland County Road Commission have deployed
a prototype of this system for testing in Metro Detroit.
The idea is that helping develop this type of technology
will help create more local jobs in the growing industry. The Center for Automotive Research estimates
that more than 20,000 jobs will be created in the coming years in the field of
vehicle electronics.
"The VII program in Michigan
has attracted partners to develop, test and deploy future transportation
technologies in Detroit,"
says Greg Krueger, the program manager of MDOT Statewide Intelligent
Transportation Systems. "Our private and public partners have invested
time and technology to help Michigan
become a national leader in this important endeavor."
Source: Michigan
Department of Transportation
Writer: Jon Zemke
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