Georgia preparing for imminent adoption of connected-vehicle tech

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) announced the imminent release of a request for proposals from private sector partners to provide a turnkey connected vehicle (CV) technology solution for principal roadways in Metro Atlanta. As car manufacturers begin to employ CV technology in their vehicles, GDOT moves one step closer to ensuring that no matter the vehicle technology, the state’s transportation infrastructure will be prepared.

Georgia is already underway in pursuing a large active CV infrastructure deployment. To date, more than 400 locations across metro Atlanta are connected with this innovative CV technology.

In a speech on Jan. 21 to transportation professionals, Gov. Brian Kemp announced a Regional Connected Vehicle partnership between Georgia DOT and the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) to connect an additional 1,000 locations with CV technology.

The cost of the initial phase of the project is $10 million, $8 million will come from federal sources with a $2 million local match from numerous local governments and Community Improvement Districts. The funding supports the implementation of connected vehicle projects that support applications such as transit signal priority and emergency vehicle preemption.

There are currently two types of technologies used in connected vehicles: dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) and cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X). The existing 400 CV locations utilize DSRC, and the 1,000 new locations will deploy both DSRC and C-V2X communication. While consumers may be accustomed to increased technology in their cars, such as back-up cameras, this deployment will specifically allow the infrastructure itself to directly talk back. With safety as a primary goal, connected vehicle technology is anticipated to aid motorists in actively avoiding crashes and other incidents.

Many recent announcements have been made by car manufacturers signaling their intent to begin deploying this technology as a standard feature in upcoming model lines. GDOT has specifically been in discussion with Ford Motor Co. regarding their specific plans for a connected vehicle future beginning in 2022.