Skip to main content

Illinois Tollway looking to test connected vehicles

The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors is eager to participate in a federal pilot program to test new connected vehicle technology that would allow cars and trucks to share real-time information about traffic congestion and roadway conditions to help reduce crashes. The Tollway has applied to participate in the program which would allow its federal government contractor, CDM Smith Federal, to test the new technology on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), which is being rebuilt at a cost of US$2.5 bill
February 27, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The 7775 Illinois Tollway Board of Directors is eager to participate in a federal pilot program to test new connected vehicle technology that would allow cars and trucks to share real-time information about traffic congestion and roadway conditions to help reduce crashes.

The Tollway has applied to participate in the program which would allow its federal government contractor, CDM Smith Federal, to test the new technology on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), which is being rebuilt at a cost of US$2.5 billion with new, flexible infrastructure to accommodate the latest intelligent transportation systems (ITS) features.

This includes a 16-mile ‘smart corridor’ on I-90 which will use active traffic management features to provide real-time information to drivers using a network of cameras, sensors and overhead electronic gantries.

Nationwide, the Illinois Tollway is one of only five roadway agencies that is also a federally affiliated test bed for connected vehicle technology.

“This new technology has the potential to produce tremendous benefits for drivers,” said Illinois Tollway executive director Kristi Lafleur. “By taking a leading role in testing, the Illinois Tollway can be among the first transportation agencies in the nation to bring the safety advances that result from this program to its customers.”

The federal government is conducting the pilot program to encourage the testing and development of connected vehicle technology that allows vehicles to collect roadway and traffic information in real time and then wirelessly transmit it to other vehicles equipped with the technology.
Connected vehicle technology could ultimately provide advance warning to drivers to slow down before slippery pavement, congested areas or accidents that are blocking traffic lanes.

The 324 US Department of Transportation is awarding contracts ranging from US$2 million to US$20 million to partnerships involved in testing the new technology. The pilot project is expected to initially test the technology on Illinois Tollway vehicles, as well as buses and commercial fleet vehicles that agree to participate.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ITS America, automakers respond to Rubio-Booker 5.9 GHz spectrum legislation
    June 23, 2014
    The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) and US automakers have responded to the announcement on legislation introduced by US Senators Marco Rubio and Cory Booker that would set deadlines on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for developing and publishing a test plan for the use of unlicensed devices in the 5.9 GHz band. The senators introduced S. 2505, the Wi-Fi Innovation Act, legislation to expand unlicensed spectrum use by requiring the Federal Communications Commissio
  • California ports testing congestion-reduction software
    December 12, 2013
    The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are testing efficiency software for the next six months to streamline traffic and improve air quality. The Freight Advanced Traveller Information Program is expected to reduce traffic congestion during peak hours by improving the information flow between truck fleets and port terminals, according to the ports. “By using Bluetooth proximity readers in and around the marine terminal in conjunction with dynamic routing, the system can communicate where congestion i
  • The Asia-Pacific poses a multitude of ITS challenges
    May 30, 2014
    The Asia-Pacific ITS Forum and Exhibition in Auckland, New Zealand, provided a focus for the region’s ITS Associations. Mary Bell reports. In late April, ITS New Zealand hosted the 13th Asia-Pacific ITS Forum and Exhibition in Auckland. Around 350 delegates from 24 nations gathered to share and advance ITS applications on both strategic and technical levels and to discuss the differing and various challenges faced in the region.
  • Will mobile apps kick-start mobility pricing?
    January 5, 2016
    Thomas Hallauer from Ptolemus believes trials of connected road charging services will show the pay per mile concept will go much further than previously thought. Drivers are progressively becoming directly connected to the transport infrastructure and while the methods are changing, the innovation is really in the models rather than the technology.