Project Summary

Integral Blue (IB) was the leading installer of MDOT’s largest Connected Vehicle (CV) Roadside Unit (RSU) deployment in Michigan and among the largest deployments in the United States.

These connected vehicle RSUs allow for several cutting-edge safety and mobility applications along MDOT’s Freeway and Arterial roadways, supporting MDOT’s forward-thinking ambitions in emergent technologies.

CV technology enables vehicles, mobile devices, roads and other infrastructure to connect to a network and exchange information seamlessly and instantly. This information is exchanged using dedicated short-range communications, which is similar in effect to wifi and cell phone communications. This exchange method is fast, secure, reliable and safe from interference, which is critical to many CV applications.

As an equipped vehicle passes by CV equipment installed near the roadway, helpful and practical information is communicated to the vehicle, including:

Safety messages. CV technology can communicate critical safety information to drivers, such as upcoming hazards like road slickness. This information allows drivers to take precautionary measures well in advance of encountering the hazard.

Roadway information. CV technology can advise drivers of relevant future road conditions, such as providing a warning about an upcoming curve in the road to help drivers adjust their speed as necessary to safely navigate the roadway.

Weather Conditions. CV technology can tell drivers about pertinent weather conditions, which might affect driving safety or road conditions. This information can help drivers make informed decisions regarding the safe operation of their vehicles.

Signal Phase and Timing (SPAT). SPAT tells drivers the status of upcoming traffic control signals – it essentially tells drivers whether an upcoming traffic light will be red or green as they approach the interchange.

Intersection Maps. CV technology can provide maps of upcoming intersections to help drivers navigate those intersections safely and effectively.

Over the course of this project, IB and project partners installed and tested 374 RSUs, over 150 traffic controllers, as well as Bluetooth detectors and cellular modems.

IB also provided testing for local devices that were to be integrated into MDOT’s and Macomb County’s existing ITS networks. This testing ensured that the CV devices functioned properly and efficiently following installation.

IB was able to leverage existing infrastructure during the installation. While hundreds of RSUs and other components were installed, neither new power nor roadside infrastructure was required. Instead, existing power and infrastructure was used to install this cutting-edge CV technology.

Because this deployment involved traffic controllers, cabinets, and intersection coordination, this required IB to carefully and closely coordinate with multiple local municipalities, counties, and state entities.

As an experienced integration firm with a large team of network engineers dedicated to traffic/ITS, Integral Blue (IB) was uniquely qualified to handle one of the largest CV deployments to date.