The Michigan Department of Transportation has begun work on a vehicle-to-infrastructure communications project, in which 3M will provide lane markings, smart sign technology and dedicated short-range communication devices for a three-mile stretch of I-75, according to a report from ITS International. 

Once these items are installed, the Oakland County stretch of highway will allow the testing of advanced vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications. The construction project is expected to take about four months to finish.

Michigan is emerging as one of the leaders in V2I and vehicle-to-vehicle communications research and adoption. V2I communications involve the wireless exchange of critical safety and operational data between vehicles and highway infrastructure. The technology, still in its development and testing stages, is expected to prevent or mitigate crashes and improve traffic flow in the future.

Back in January, the Michigan DOT joined the Smart Belt Coalition, a partnership aimed at advancing development of connected and autonomous vehicles. In addition to the Michigan DOT, Smart Belt Coalition members include the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the American Center for Mobility, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, Ohio State University, the Transportation Research Center, the Pennsylvania DOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and Carnegie Mellon University.