Automakers, cellular network operators, traffic control device companies and semiconductor manufacturers now have a single technology hub to create, develop and test connected vehicle safety applications with the opening of a new facility in Georgia, USA.
Located at Alpharetta within the metropolitan Atlanta region, the new Infrastructure-Automotive Technology Laboratory (iATL) is a private-sector led and funded initiative that designed to help accelerate the deployment of connected vehicle (CV) technology by bringing together various industry sectors to create applications that improve safety on the USA’s roadways. The iATL is open to all organisations with an interest in advancing safety through CV technology including Departments of Transportation (DOTs), university researchers, planning agencies, automakers, mobile network operators, transport infrastructure and technology companies, and transportation industry consultants.
An initiative led by Georgia-based Applied Information Inc. (AII), one of the USA’s leading providers of intelligent transportation infrastructure technology, the 4,400 square foot facility includes dozens of different types of electronic devices that control everything from traffic signals to school zone safety beacons to electronic crosswalks. Automakers will be able to develop interactive safety apps that connect with the devices and cellular network operators will work out communications including 5G. AII will use the new facility to further advance its existing Glance Smart City Supervisory platform, transit and emergency vehicle priority and pre-emption systems, connected traffic management equipment, and TravelSafely smartphone app.
Based on the the Northwinds Summit development, the iATL is strategically located amid the North Fulton Community Improvement District (NFCID), which has funded the first large-scale deployment of CV infrastructure technology using all forms of communications simultaneously, including 4G LTE, Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X), Dedicated Short Range Radio (DSRC) and 900MHz radio. The iATL is positioned directly off the SR-400 corridor that AII is currently equipping with 44 V2X connected intersections. The new facility highlights the emergence of Georgia as one of the USA’s leading centres for CAV development, and is conveniently located close to the 5G-enabled Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners testbed where Georgia Tech, Delta Air Lines and others are collaborating to advance autonomous vehicle and infrastructure research.
“The iATL is a prime example of Georgia’s leadership in developing critical technology that is so important to our state and national economies while at the same time improving the safety of all of us who use our streets and highways today,” said Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor, Geoff Duncan. “I am particularly pleased that this incredible facility is privately sponsored and enjoys the overwhelming support of the local government and surrounding business community; where the rubber meets the road.”
AII’s president, Bryan Mulligan, said, “The iATL is where automakers, roadway operators and technology companies can come together and make the vision of connected vehicles a reality now. The iATL is not just a collection of traffic devices in a laboratory, but it is embedded in an ecosystem of 125 connected intersections to test the Day One applications in real-world conditions.”
Ford’s head of CV technology, Jovan Zagajac, added, “The ability of vehicles to communicate with the traffic control infrastructure is crucial to improving roadway safety and for the rapid adoption of connected vehicle technology across the fleet.”
