WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff Deploys Connected Vehicle Technology For U.S. Army Test On Michigan Highway

As part of the Planet M initiative, The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have partnered to test connected vehicle applications on the I-69 freeway in Lapeer County, MI. WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff is part of the MDOT team leading the infrastructure deployments.

The test, which took place June 20th to the 24th, involved the installation of six road side units (RSU) at different locations to create a vehicle communications system. The system evaluates various vehicle-to-infrastructure applications, including speed recommendation, curve speed warning, lane closure warning and disabled vehicle warning.

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff is leading the team responsible for the infrastructure installations, RSU software configurations, network architecture development, and backhaul communication and testing. In addition, the firm coordinated a system mock-up test with all parties involved, which was conducted in a lab environment prior to the actual live testing on I-69. During the live testing, the firm provided as-needed on-site technical support with the radio configurations and troubleshooting, leading to a highly successful test. RSUs are being decommissioned and reinstalled at permanent locations on I-69 for future real-world applications.

“WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff is a leader in connected and automated vehicle technology and the deployment of ITS systems,” noted Scott Shogan, connected/automated vehicle (C/AV) market leader at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff. “We have established the industry’s strongest track record in the deployment of roadside infrastructure necessary to enable advanced communications for vehicle-to-infrastructure connectivity.”

The firm has partnered on a range of C/AV projects with multiple public agencies including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Michigan Department of Transportation, the USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO), Federal Highway Administration, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.