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ANN ARBOR, MI – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) announced that the University of Michigan will receive a $2,574,300 grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s University Transportation Centers (UTC) program that would continue funding for the Center for Connected and Automated Transportation (CCAT). CCAT is seeking to advance research in the field of comprehensive transportation safety and congestion management by taking advantage of connected vehicles, connected infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles.

“We are at the cusp of a major transformation in the auto and mobility industry, and the University of Michigan is leading the way in the research and development of new technologies that will shape the future of mobility,” said Dingell, co-chair of the House Smart Transportation Caucus. “This grant will give U-M new tools to address the critical transportation challenges facing our nation by promoting connected and autonomous technology research and education. I’m also pleased that Washtenaw Community College will continue to be a partner in this project, as they will bring a unique perspective and skill set to this important effort. This partnership demonstrates the level of expertise the state of Michigan has in this critical field.”

"Researchers at the University of Michigan are working together to help transform the future of mobility, from developing vehicles that talk to each other and drive themselves, to understanding how advancements in mobility can change how we live our lives," said Henry Liu, CCAT director and professor of civil and environmental engineering. "But as researchers continue to seek advancements in driverless technology, there are a number of issues surrounding technology development, policy and planning, and system design and operations that require answers and resolution. The Center for Connected and Automated Transportation is a leader in addressing the most important promises and pitfalls of tomorrow's transportation."

CCAT tests and demonstrates emerging technologies and concepts by leveraging the Ann Arbor Connected Vehicle Test Environment, a unique ‘living laboratory’ that has instrumented urban streets and highways, thousands of connected vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and smart phones; and Mcity, a state-of-the art off-roadway test facility for connected and automated vehicle (CAV) testing and evaluation developed at University of Michigan.

Sample research topics include traffic flow characteristics and operations for mixed streams of CAVs and regular vehicles; transportation infrastructure design and planning for CAVs; cybersecurity management of CAVs and infrastructure; and societal impacts of CAVs in terms of safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

The grant is one of 35 five-year grants awarded through the UTC program. U-M leads a consortium of regional colleges and universities on the project, including Washtenaw Community College, Purdue University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Akron, and Central State University.

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