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    PennDOT, PTC, Ohio DOT, the Ohio Turnpike, and Michigan DOT have jointly formed the Smart Belt Coalition - a first-of-its-kind collaboration - with transportation agencies and universities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan to focus on automated and connected vehicle initiatives. The coalition brings together leaders on these technologies to support research, testing, policy, funding pursuits and deployment, as well as to share data and provide unique opportunities for private-sector testers. Key elements include:

    • Establishing a high-profile, high-impact, and long-distance network for transportation innovations in connected automation.
    • Supporting testing and deployment of various applications of connected and automated vehicles, including agency fleets, first responder vehicles, passenger vehicles, transit vehicles, and trucks.
    • Supporting testing and deployment of other innovative and emerging technologies. Testing and operating connected and automated applications on varying terrain during all four distinct seasons of the year, leveraging unique off-roadway test facilities.
    • Validating innovations across a diversity of urban and rural roadways. Sharing data for testing, research and deployment of innovative and emerging technologies. Leveraging national leading university research and current deployments of cutting-edge connected automation technology.
    • Demonstrating the necessary cooperative deployment, cost, and effectiveness of supporting connected automation infrastructure among multiple modes, states, agencies, and private companies.

    Key projects to date include:

    Truck Platooning Pilot

    In October 2020, the Smart Belt Coalition performed an inter-state truck platooning pilot from Pittsburgh to Detroit. The SBC and Locomation demonstrated the agency coordination and administrative and procedural requirements necessary for a truck platooning system to operate continuously through the three states. This effort will result in a "lessons learned" document on the steps needed to facilitate a truck platooning and automated driving system operation across jurisdictional boundaries.