3M, Ferrovial partner for safer roads
3M’s Transportation Safety Division is expanding its partnership with Ferrovial, a leading developer of transportation infrastructure, to create AIVIA Smart Roads.
3M and Ferrovial, as well as industry leaders and innovators including Microsoft, Kapsch, Capgemini and Telefonica, will use innovative solutions to design and build the smarter connected roads of the future, said the company.
The goal, said 3M, is to improve safety, provide reliable travel times, support autonomous vehicles and deliver communication directly to motorists.
“The AIVIA consortium is looking to the future,” said Dr. Dan Chen, president of 3M’s Transportation Safety Division. “This initiative brings together industry leaders who know what it takes to operate a roadway and understand the different pieces needed to make the connected roads of the future possible.”
The initiative is focused on developing 5G smart roads that use advanced monitoring, through sensors and simulation technology, to improve the roadway experience, said 3M.
“The overarching ambition of AIVIA is to develop a holistic, long-term solution for improving road safety and road capacity while accelerating the adoption of connected and autonomous vehicles in mixed traffic scenarios,” said Adrian Talbot, head of centre of excellence for mobility at Ferrovial.
One of the AIVIA consortium’s first successful projects, and an early demonstration of what the connected roads of the future will look like, is the North Tarrant Express (NTE) connecting Dallas and Fort Worth. This 11-mile stretch of roadway presented an opportunity to upgrade a major expressway with the latest in traffic infrastructure technology including the 3M™ Impact Detection System.
“As we look to tackle small-scale physical enhancements that improve safety, such as better lane markings, as well as major enhancements, like adding a digital layer to roadways, the 3M Impact Detection System addresses both,” said Talbot.
Following the success of the NTE project, AIVIA is now looking to the future as it takes the next steps to build safer, more efficient and more connected roads.
The AIVIA Consortium wants a greater understanding of what’s happening in free-flowing traffic. For example, implementing digital sensors that automatically detect accidents and monitor vehicle behavior could help the team better mitigate or even prevent accidents.
“AIVIA can help federal agencies and state DOTs think differently about roadways,” said Chen. “How do drivers and road users interact with both physical and digital infrastructure? AIVIA has an opportunity to help bring that holistic approach to the equation.”
Related: Check out a well-produced Road Safety Video from 3M.