Ann Arbor Times

In a strategic move to advance research on mobility technologies, the University of Michigan is integrating its transportation safety expertise with connected and automated vehicle testing. Starting March 1, the University's Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) will incorporate the Mcity public/private partnership and test facility. Henry Liu, who has been directing Mcity since 2022, will lead this expanded entity.

“We see this as a multiplier of our impact,” stated Liu, who also holds the title of Bruce D. Greenshields Collegiate Professor of Engineering and professor of civil and environmental engineering. “UMTRI brings top safety researchers and a focus on the human facets, while Mcity provides technology development and a one-of-a-kind test facility."

James Sayer, UMTRI’s director for nine years, will continue as a research scientist. The Mcity Test Facility was initially launched in 2015 by UMTRI leaders including Sayer.

“What spun out of our efforts to improve roadway safety has come full circle,” Sayer noted. He emphasized that connected and automated vehicle technologies are essential in addressing traffic safety challenges as more than 40,000 people die annually on U.S. roads.

This new chapter begins as UMTRI celebrates its 60th anniversary alongside Mcity's 10th anniversary. Established during a time when traffic fatalities were rising sharply in the U.S., UMTRI's predecessor—the Highway Safety Research Institute—was founded with $10 million from Ford, GM, and the Automobile Manufacturers Association to enhance vehicle safety engineering.

UMTRI has significantly contributed to reducing fatalities through various initiatives like crash analysis research and developing active safety systems such as automatic emergency braking. These efforts have informed automakers' decisions regarding standard safety features.

Mcity Test Facility provides an environment for testing cutting-edge connected and automated technologies safely. It has facilitated partnerships with automakers like Ford for autonomous vehicle testing since its inception.

By combining physical assets with digital infrastructure funded by the National Science Foundation, Mcity offers remote testing capabilities worldwide to accelerate automated technology development. Recently, it introduced an open-source digital twin of its facility to aid in testing without requiring physical vehicles or facilities.

Liu emphasizes automation's potential role in reducing roadway fatalities further: “Given all the safety features that have been added to vehicles over the years...the only thing that will significantly reduce the number of roadway fatalities at this point is automation.” He stresses adopting a systems view in transportation for enhanced protection measures.

The University aims to leverage this merger between UMTRI and Mcity towards achieving significant advancements in road safety through innovation-driven collaboration across sectors.