University of Michigan (U-M) is enhancing its research on innovative mobility tech by merging its expertise in transportation safety with connected and automated vehicle testing. This initiative aims to save lives by pushing the boundaries of next-generation mobility technologies. Starting March 1, U-M’s Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) will incorporate the Mcity public/private partnership and test facility. Henry Liu, Mcity’s director, will lead the expanded UMTRI.
“We see this as a multiplier of our impact,” said Liu, the Bruce D. Greenshields Collegiate Professor of Engineering. UMTRI’s top researchers focus on safety and human factors, while Mcity enhances tech development with its unique test facility. Together, they uphold Michigan Engineering’s leadership in mobility research that impacts engineering and human lives.
Liu succeeds James Sayer, UMTRI’s leader for nine years, who will continue as a research scientist. This change marks a return for Mcity, first envisioned by UMTRI leaders and partners in 2015 as the world’s first test track for connected and automated vehicles.
“What spun out of our efforts to improve roadway safety has come full circle, and at a time when it’s clear that connected and automated vehicle technologies are the essential next frontier in traffic safety,” Sayer noted. Over 40,000 people still die on US roads annually.
As UMTRI celebrates its 60th anniversary and Mcity its 10th, the institute reflects on its history of saving lives. In 1965, traffic fatalities surged as fast cars hit new highways. To combat this, Ford, GM, and others funded the Highway Safety Research Institute, which became UMTRI, to focus on vehicle safety.
UMTRI’s research has significantly reduced fatalities, with innovations in vehicle design, connected vehicle deployments, and crash analysis. The Michigan Traffic Crash Facts site, in collaboration with NHTSA, is a key tool in analyzing crash data, influencing safety systems like GM’s standard active safety features.
Sixty years of saving lives
In the 1970s, UMTRI enhanced crash test dummies with realistic anthropometry, creating a design basis for adult-sized dummies used for decades. The 1980s saw advancements in occupant restraint systems, including the LATCH system for child seats. Meanwhile, the International Roughness Index was established, setting global standards for road surface quality.
UMTRI’s heavy truck safety research continues to impact vehicle standards. In the 1990s, its 3D modeling capabilities led to the creation of Mechanical Simulation Corp, later acquired by Applied Intuition, a leader in autonomous vehicle software.
A safe place for technology testing
UMTRI recognized the need for a safe environment to test cutting-edge tech, leading to the creation of the 32-acre Mcity Test Facility. It offers a real-world urban environment for testing, supported by industry leaders like GM, Ford, and Toyota.
Ford was the first automaker to test autonomous vehicles there, enhancing mobility technologies. Mcity’s Safety Assessment Program aims to establish a national standard for Level 4 vehicle safety testing, crucial for autonomous vehicle deployment.
Today, Mcity offers remote testing and a digital twin of the facility, advancing autonomous and connected vehicle software development globally. This open-source tool accelerates tech testing without physical resources.
A tipping point for road safety
Liu argues that merging UMTRI and Mcity can drive a transformation in road safety. Despite improvements since the 1970s, over 40,000 lives are lost on US roads annually. The USDOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy emphasizes automated technologies.
“Given all the safety features that have been added to vehicles over the years, it’s my view that the only thing that will significantly reduce the number of roadway fatalities at this point is automation,” Liu stated. A systems approach is crucial, considering seatbelt and airbag design for AVs, he added.
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