Three US states form 'Smart Belt Coalition' on connected vehicles

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) have formed the Smart Belt Coalition, a collaboration with transportation agencies in Ohio and Michigan that will focus on automated and connected vehicle initiatives. With similar climates, commercial truck traffic and active work on these technologies in the participating states, the coalition, which includes transportation and academic partners, will be a resource for transportation stakeholders and the
January 18, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The 6111 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) have formed the Smart Belt Coalition, a collaboration with transportation agencies in Ohio and Michigan that will focus on automated and connected vehicle initiatives.

With similar climates, commercial truck traffic and active work on these technologies in the participating states, the coalition, which includes transportation and academic partners, will be a resource for transportation stakeholders and the private sector alike.

It is developing its strategic plan which initially focuses on connected and automated applications in work zones, including uniform work-zone scenarios offering consistency for testers as well as technologies offering better information to motorists. It will also research commercial freight opportunities in testing, including platooning and potential coordination on interstates, as well as incident management applications providing better information to and infrastructure for emergency responders and other agencies.

Moving forward, the coalition will finalise a strategic plan outlining the framework for participants and opportunities for private-sector testers.
Location Based Systems

Related Content

  • April 12, 2013
    Connected vehicles - potential to transform US transportation
    There’s a new face in the driving seat at the US Department of Transport’s ITS Joint Program Office. Fortunately, as Robin Meczes finds out, he’s no learner driver… Ask Kenneth Leonard why he wanted his new job as director of the ITS Joint Program Office, and his answer comes back without a second’s delay. “The potential to save lives, reduce injuries and help people enjoy a more efficient transportation system is the kind of challenge that makes me want to come to work each morning,” he says. “In my opinio
    Read More
  • January 11, 2013
    PennDOT 511 traveller information system to be privatised
    The Pennsylvania Department of Transport (PennDOT) 511 system, 511PA, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Roadway Information Program (TRIP), are to be privatised, following approval by the Pennsylvania Public Private Transportation Partnership (P3) Board of a project soliciting private sector proposals to manage and operate the systems. In operation since 2009, 511PA provides traffic-delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 670 traffic cameras. The
    Read More
  • September 26, 2023
    FHWA collaborative framework on automated driving systems: an explainer
    USDoT FHWA has put together a collaborative framework to help secure the roll-out of automated driving systems in the US. John Harding of FHWA explains the thinking…
    Read More
  • September 8, 2014
    Xerox a founding partner in connected vehicle initiative
    Xerox joins a select group of companies, including Econolite, Iteris, Delphi, Denso, Bosch, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and General Motors, which will be the founding partners in the University of Michigan’s Mobility Transformation Center (MTC). Spanning such sectors as auto manufacturing, suppliers, ITS, insurance, telecommunications, data management, and mobility services, the MTC’s Leadership Circle will join with government and academic partners to lay the foundations for a commercially viable system of co
    Read More

Highlighted Content