(NewsNation) — Is that a crash blocking the road ahead, or just a really slow car? Is that a tire in lane three, or a paper bag? Is it raining on a couple of miles of highway, but dry beyond? Those questions and many more could be instantly resolved, and the answers sent directly to your car, thanks to a new a new smart road system that’s undergoing its initial test just outside Detroit.
A three-mile stretch of Interstate 94, about halfway between Detroit and Ann Abor, Michigan, is now connected and collecting data. Eventually it will be a 39-mile “Connected and Automated Vehicle Corridor,” according to the highway technology company Cavnue.
The pilot program involves a single lane of I-94, which is monitored by sensors, radar, cameras and other technology that will create a real-time model of road conditions. The data will eventually go directly to cars equipped with autonomous vehicle technology.
The data will help drivers “prepare for traffic slowdowns further in advance, which can reduce both congestion and emissions. The full project is expected to offer drivers on I-94 a significantly safer and smoother commute,” according to Cavnue’s website.
The smart road will also alert police and transportation officials, which will lead to quicker response times and more reliable transit services, Cavnue said.
The road just outside the Motor City was an easy choice, according to Cavnue.
“Michigan (is) the birthplace of the automobile, the site of the first concrete highway, and the home of 75% of U.S. automotive R&D investment.”
Researchers at the major U.S. auto companies must eventually develop an industry standard for how vehicles communicate with each other and Cavnue’s smart roads system.