Several major road corridors in Macomb County are being equipped with connected vehicle and smart technology installations designed to make intersections significantly safer for all drivers.

The Macomb County Department of Roads is deploying roadside units, or RSUs, at more than 650 county intersections in three phases. To date, 300 units have been installed. The second phase is underway, with the installation of approximately 190 units. The third phase is starting this fall and is set to be completed by end of 2022.

Currently, the major corridors in the county to receive the technology include Ryan Road, Mound Road, Van Dyke Avenue, 10 Mile Road, Nine Mile Road, and 12 Mile Road.

The RSUs will allow the roads department to broadcast information such as signal phasing and timing, or SpAT, and map coordinates that can enable emergency response vehicles equipped with connected vehicle technology to travel through intersections for quicker response times. They will also increase efficiency for manufacturers and suppliers who rely on Macomb County roadways.

The county is working with major manufacturers, suppliers, and emergency responders who are currently testing this technology on roads in the county using their onboard units on their vehicles that communicate with the RSUs, which in turn, communicates to the traffic signal controller. MCDR will also be testing this technology on its snowplows this winter.

“We are committed to improving Macomb County’s transportation network by using state-of-the-art communications technology for traffic safety, smart infrastructure, and connected vehicles,” said MCDR Director Bryan Santo. “We are incorporating the future of mobility and technology to create a modern, efficient and reliable transportation network that will serve our region well into the future.”