Via PA.gov

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) have formed the Smart Belt Coalition – a first-of-its-kind collaboration – with transportation agencies in Ohio and Michigan that will focus on automated and connected vehicle initiatives.

The coalition, which includes transportation and academic partners, brings together leaders on these technologies to support research, testing, policy, funding pursuits and deployment, as well as share data and provide unique opportunities for private-sector testers.

"I'm excited for us to continue our efforts in fostering safe and effective development of this technology," PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said. "This multi-state partnership not only offers fantastic collaboration opportunities, but will also bring some consistency to testing scenarios that will help the private sector as they develop these technologies."

While coalition membership may expand in the future, participating agencies and universities include:

• Pennsylvania: PennDOT, PTC and Carnegie Mellon University;
• Michigan: Michigan Department of Transportation and University of Michigan; and
• Ohio: Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, The Ohio State University and Transportation Research Center.

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