As part of a national effort to improve road safety and traffic flow, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is working to launch a pilot vehicle safety program on the Wyoming stretch of Interstate 80 (I-80). Trihydro, which is headquartered in Wyoming, is a member of the team working on developing, implementing, and testing new
connected vehicle technologies that allow mobile and roadside data to be collected and shared with drivers on the road.
Piloting Connected Vehicle Technology
In 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) selected Wyoming as one of three sites in the country to design, build, and test phases for a regional
Connected Vehicle (CV) Pilot Deployment Program. The CV Pilot Program, sponsored by USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office, aims to use
cutting-edge technologies and applications to improve safety and reduce environmental impacts of personal driving. Collective cooperative agreements for the project are worth more than $45 million.
In partnership with a multidisciplinary team which includes Trihydro, ICF International, University of Wyoming, National Center for Atmospheric Research, and McFarland Management, WYDOT is developing innovative vehicle and infrastructure connectivity applications for the initial phases of the CV Pilot Program. Using dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) capabilities between vehicles and roadside buildings, the new applications will support enhanced driver awareness by providing wireless communication about road conditions.
The Goal: Improving Safety on US Highways
The new technologies feature travel data including collision advisories, work zone warnings, and road condition reports, in addition to other roadside alerts and travel guidance. The goal of the program is for individuals using the new applications to be able to better plan for trips, have improved understanding of what is happening ahead on the road, and make informed decisions while driving. This en-route connectivity is expected to help reduce accidents and increase travel reliability on I-80, and eventually other roadways across the country.
Testing Connected Vehicle Technology
During the program testing period of November 2017 – May 2019, 75 roadside units and 400 vehicles, including Trihydro fleet vehicles, will receive and report messages using the DSRC technologies. The transportation data will also be available to the general public through the Wyoming 511 app, compatible with
Android and
iOS devices, and the WYDOT commercial vehicle operator portal.
Find out more
For additional information about the project, contact us.
