Mapping and location technology provider HERE and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will introduce the first cellular network-based connected vehicle alert system in North America.

The project aims to ensure safety of drivers and roadway efficiency on the Interstate 70 (I-70) Mountain Corridor that connects Denver to Colorado’s resorts and mountains.

The I-70 Mountain Corridor is one of the most dangerous roads in the US, as travellers face extreme weather conditions, high-altitude driving and significant road congestion, which ultimately results in costing billions in lost time and revenue.

"The I-70 Mountain Pilot will transform data into intelligence, helping vehicles safely and more efficiently get to their destination."

CDOT will use the HERE Location Cloud and Digital Transportation Infrastructure (DTI) solution on the RoadX Connected Vehicle to connect vehicles, smartphones and other devices, road infrastructure and traffic management centres.

Utilising existing cellular networks, the HERE Location Cloud and DTI will analyse and distribute precise safety critical information to right people at the right time.

The partnership will provide precise information to drivers so that they can react and adjust before being in the middle of a jam.

Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, the HERE platform is interoperable that will help to share seamless data with CDOT.

CDOT executive director Shailen Bhatt said: "As vehicles share safety hazards in near real-time via cellular networks and with the HERE location cloud, the I-70 Mountain Pilot will transform data into intelligence, helping vehicles safely and more efficiently get to their destination."

The project is the first industry collaboration announced by CDOT that follows the launch of the RoadX programme in October in the US.

CDOT will use about 1,000 vehicles to participate in the pilot programme, scheduled to begin during the 2016-2017 ski season to alert drivers on problems faced on road.

HERE global head of digital transportation infrastructure George Filley said: "We have designed an interoperable platform that today allows an efficient low-latency data exchange, where connected vehicles can transmit and receive localised information on road conditions for the safety and benefit of the driver."

HERE is also working with the Dutch Government to deploy a similar ITS programme in the Netherlands.