The University of Michigan: Advancing Vehicle Safety Through Innovation
As the automotive industry evolves, the University of Michigan is spearheading efforts to enhance road safety through innovative research and technology. Leveraging decades of expertise in transportation safety, the university is now integrating its knowledge in connected and automated vehicle technologies with the resources of the Mcity test facility and the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI).
Starting March 1, UMTRI, known for its top-tier safety research, will collaborate with Mcity, a unique partnership combining public and private sectors for technology development. Henry Liu, who has led Mcity since 2022, will oversee this expanded initiative.
“We see this as a multiplier of our impact,” said Liu. “UMTRI brings top safety researchers and a focus on the human facets, while Mcity provides technology development and a one-of-a-kind test facility.”
UMTRI’s Legacy in Vehicle Safety
Founded in 1965, UMTRI has been instrumental in reducing traffic fatalities. Originally named the Highway Safety Research Institute, it was established with a $10 million investment from major automotive companies to address a 20% rise in roadway deaths from 1960 to 1965. Today, UMTRI’s foundational research has contributed to a 35% reduction in fatalities per capita.
UMTRI’s work has spanned the optimization of crash test dummies, improvements in occupant restraint systems, and the development of the International Roughness Index. It has also paved the way for advanced simulations to predict vehicle behavior, resulting in the creation of Mechanical Simulation Corp., a company acquired in 2022 and now valued at $6 billion.
Mcity’s Role in Testing and Technology Development
The Mcity Test Facility, a 32-acre site replicating urban environments, was designed for rigorous testing of connected and automated technologies. This initiative, started by UMTRI leaders, received substantial industry support, with firms like General Motors and Ford contributing to its funding.
Ford became the first automaker to test autonomous vehicles at the facility, highlighting the importance of controlled environments for technology development. Mcity continues to innovate with its Safety Assessment Program, aimed at validating the safety of Level 4 automated vehicles.
A Unified Effort for Future Road Safety
By merging UMTRI’s comprehensive research capabilities with Mcity’s cutting-edge testing environment, the University of Michigan aims to address the ongoing crisis of over 40,000 annual road deaths in the United States. The National Roadway Safety Strategy, supported by the USDOT, emphasizes automated technologies as a crucial component of this effort.
Henry Liu asserts that “automation” combined with a systems view of transportation safety will be key to reducing fatalities significantly. This strategic collaboration at the University of Michigan is poised to set the stage for the next evolution in road safety.
