Safety Pilot project officially underway

Posted 08/21/2012


Blue skies and fair weather provided an ideal setting August 21 as nearly 300 people including U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood arrived at UMTRI to mark the official launch of the Safety Pilot Model Deployment.

The ground-breaking research project, led by UMTRI, will test connected-vehicle communication technology on 3,000 vehicles in the Ann Arbor area.

"Today is a big day for safety," said LaHood (shown talking with media). He added that connected-vehicle technology offers real promise in making vehicles safer and more efficient.

The Safety Pilot Model Deployment, a $22 million partnership between UMTRI and the U.S. Department of Transportation, is part of a joint research initiative led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to see how well wireless communication technology works in the real world. It is the largest connected-vehicle, street-level pilot project event conducted.

UMTRI Director Peter Sweatman welcomed guests at Tuesday's launch event, which also featured remarks by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, Congressman John Dingell (D-MI), and Stephen Forrest, U-M Vice President for Research.

Visit U-M News Service to read more about the Safety Pilot project and watch a video.

Also see Safety Pilot Model Deployment.

Photos by Daniel Hershberger, UMTRI