Peters, Stabenow, Dingell Applaud $9.95 Million Federal Grant to Help Advance UM’s Automated Vehicle Research

DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today applauded a $9,950,098 federal grant awarded to the University of Michigan for self-driving technology vehicle research and development. The funding – awarded through the Department of Transportation – will support ongoing projects led by the University to install vehicle and infrastructure technology across Ann Arbor intersections. This will enhance research around vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure technologies and pave the way for the future of mobility in a way that reduces traffics and improves safety.

“It’s critical that Michigan lead the way in the future of mobility. I’m proud of the work being done at world-class institutions like the University of Michigan, which is vital to ensuring self-driving cars can be safely ushered in onto our roadways,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “This investment will further put Michigan on the map as the leader in developing and building the vehicles and transportation systems of tomorrow.”

“This is an important investment that recognizes Michigan’s leadership in building the vehicles of our future," said Senator Stabenow. “This technology is exciting and holds the promise of safer roads, better fuel economy, a cleaner environment and more accessible transportation.”

“As we move towards a new generation of transportation infrastructure, we need to invest in the technology that will keep our streets, drivers, and pedestrians safe,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “With the support of the Department of Transportation, the smart intersection technology being developed at the University of Michigan will ensure we stay at the forefront of global leadership in transportation and mobility. In the months and years ahead, we will continue to work with researchers, stakeholders, autonomous vehicle manufacturers, and local governments to advance this important technology.”

"The University of Michigan continues to play a vital role in driving the future of mobility," said Rebecca Cunningham, Vice President for Research, University of Michigan. "Through federal investments like this, the innovative research and scholarship led by faculty across all three U-M campuses will continue to discover new ways to transform mobility by reducing traffic crashes and fuel consumption, cutting emissions and increasing accessibility to transportation."

"With this award, we will be able to deploy a network of smart intersections in Ann Arbor, Michigan where vehicles and infrastructure interact in a connected environment using state of the art technology," said Henry Liu, University of Michigan faculty researcher leading this project. "It is our hope that this grant will provide a roadmap that can accelerate the deployment of connected and automated vehicles by addressing the technology challenges that come with the quickly changing future of transportation." 

“Whether in a laboratory or on the test tracks, University of Michigan students and faculty have led the way on developing the vehicles that will forever change how we get around,” said City of Ann Arbor Mayor Chris Taylor. “As they continue this groundbreaking research, I’m proud to say that Ann Arbor will continue to be at the center of technological advances and innovation.”

More information on the Department of Transportation Grant program can be found at http://www.dot.gov/grants.

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