Talking connected vehicles and the North American International Auto Show 2020 Mobility Challenge

On Talking Michigan Transportation this week, Jeff talks with Elise Feldpausch, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) connected vehicle specialist and project manager for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2020 Mobility Challenge. The challenge is Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s initiative to showcase automated vehicles that will help people attending the auto show get around downtown Detroit.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/mobility/governor-unveils-mobility-challenge-aimed-helping-people-get-around-detroit-auto-show-2020

On Monday, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist joined MDOT Director Paul Ajegba and Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) CEO Jeff Mason to announce the companies selected to demonstrate their automated technology with shuttles that will transport people from Metro Airport to the TCF Center for the auto show. Gilchrist put a special emphasis on the promise the technology offers to broaden mobility options for vulnerable users.

https://www.planetm.com/press-releases/2020/01/lt.-governor-gilchrist-announces-naias-2020-michigan-mobility-challenge-airport-to-downtown-technology-demonstrations/

“Today’s announcement underscores that in Michigan, we believe the true power and value in the technologies on display at NAIAS 2020 will be in how they make access to reliable, affordable transportation available to all of our state’s citizens,” Gilchrist said.

Director Ajegba emphasized the importance of Michigan's groundbreaking connected and automated vehicle legislation.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2016/12/09/autonomous-car-law/95199544/

“Michigan is the past, present and future center of mobility revolution, and today’s announcement further solidifies our position,” Ajegba said. “Thanks to bipartisan support for groundbreaking legislation and our unique private-sector partnerships, including the North American International Auto Show, MDOT can continue to innovate and adapt our infrastructure to meet the needs of connected and automated transportation.”

Elise talks about MDOT’s Intelligent Transportation Systems and why the programs work to connect vehicles to each other and the infrastructure.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9615_44489---,00.html

She also talks about her own experiences as a driver and the technology’s ongoing evolution and potential to save lives.

Polling by Michigan-based Epic MRA shows people becoming gradually more accepting of the technology.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/2019_MDOT_Self-drivingCars_EpicPoll_669727_7.pdf