The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) has secured a grant from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) for continuation of its innovative deployment of connected vehicle technology on the Interstate 80 (I-80) corridor.

Wyoming’s I-80 corridor is one of three locations in the US to participate in the Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Programme.

WYDOT chief engineer Gregg Fredrick said:  “WYDOT’s connected vehicle project presents a unique opportunity.

"By establishing this connection, the pilot project will enable drivers to have 360-degree awareness of hazards and situations, including some they cannot see."

“Our project team, along with the private fleet partners and a multidisciplinary research team will collaborate on developing leading edge safety and mobility applications and prove the concept through real world testing along the I-80 corridor.

“This work will lay the foundation for much larger and exciting opportunities to enhance the safety and mobility on other rural roadways in Wyoming and throughout the United States.”

I-80, which reaches its highest elevation at 8,640ft, is a major corridor for east-west freight movement in the northwest part of the country. In 2015, more than 1,400 crashes with 13 fatalities and over 250 injury-related crashes were reported on the I-80.

Connected Vehicle Technology on the I-80 corridor will enable trucks and WYDOT’s fleets to 'talk' to each other and to 'talk' to the roadside infrastructure.

By establishing this connection, the pilot project will enable drivers to have 360-degree awareness of hazards and situations, including some they cannot see.

The primary objective of this project is to improve the safety of the traveling public and reduce the accidents associated with adverse weather conditions on the corridor.

The federal government is providing about $4.4m for the design and deployment phase of the project, and the combined cost of all three phases is projected to be about $5.7m.

Additionally, WYDOT will be supported by a multidisciplinary team including ICF International, National Center for Atmospheric Research, McFarland Management, Trihydro, University of Wyoming and Vital Assurance.

WYDOT will also be supported by vendors who will provide hardware and software that will be needed for the pilot.