Driving the Future – Toyota Team Members Get Connected

•Toyota strengthens Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) 5.9GHz Vehicle to Everything (V2X) technology commitment via University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute partnership.

•Further establishes the Ann Arbor Connected Vehicle Test Environment as the world’s largest operational real-world deployment of connected vehicles and infrastructure.

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Toyota Motor North America Research & Development (TMNA R&D) welcome Toyota team members and their families as they “Get Connected” in the Ann Arbor Connected Vehicle Test Environment (AACVTE). The AACVTE is the world’s largest connected vehicle test environment for the DSRC 5.9GHz V2X technology and operates throughout the city of Ann Arbor.  Led by UMTRI and its partners, the AACVTE builds on the existing deployment, established in 2012. 
 
Earlier this year, Toyota and Lexus announced plans to deploy Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) systems on vehicles sold in the U.S. starting in 2021.  And today, Toyota began inviting its over 1,800 R&D team members and their families who live and work in Washtenaw County to have their vehicles equipped with the latest DSRC 5.9GHz V2X technology connected vehicle systems.
 
“We believe this represents a significant step forward in creating a safer and more efficient driving ecosystem while advancing connected and automated technology,” said Wayne Powell, Vice President Electronics Systems at Toyota Motor North America.
 
With Toyota’s support, the AACVTE will remain the flagship for connected vehicle and infrastructure deployment and research in the world.   
 
Connected vehicle safety technology (DSRC 5.9GHz V2X) allows vehicles to communicate wirelessly with other similarly equipped vehicles, and to communicate wirelessly with the infrastructure.
 
“Ann Arbor is an international hub for connected vehicle technology and research and it has everything to do with the community,” said James R. Sayer, director UMTRI. “This deployment allows us to gather data critical to advancing transportation safety.  A fully operational deployment enables UMTRI to conduct $3-5M in research a year, making it a significant living laboratory.” 
 
To date, $50M has been invested in connected vehicles and infrastructure in Ann Arbor, beginning with the $30M Safety Pilot DSRC 5.9GHz V2X technology Model Deployment, launched in 2012 by UMTRI and the U.S. DOT.  AACVTE funding partners include the U-M (UMTRI, Mcity), the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), the City of Ann Arbor and other program partners and suppliers. 
 
In addition to Toyota employees, UMTRI invites all community members to Get Connected!
If you are interested in learning more about this technology, email: connectedvehicle@umich.edu.