I-94 Connected and Automated Vehicle Corridor

CAVs are vehicles that automate the driving experience and can send and/or receive information to and from outside sources. The vehicles use a combination of on-board sensors, software, and communications equipment to automate the driving task. Many vehicles on the road today have varying levels of connectivity and automation, and it is expected that these features that make vehicles smarter will continue to advance rapidly in the future. However, these smart vehicles are trying to make driving safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable without any assistance from the roads. The proposed project would provide roadside technology connecting to CAVs, expanding opportunities for efficient use of the existing freeway lane.

The project would be deployed in segments on an approximately 39.3-mile segment of I-94 between Ann Arbor and Detroit. The project limits are from Ann Arbor-Saline Road in Ann Arbor to M-10 in Detroit. The initial segment (Segment 1) that is planned to be built is on I-94 between US-23 and Oakwood Boulevard.

• Create a first-of-its-kind project to maximize benefits of CAVs and encourage similar integration of technologies in Michigan.
• Upgrade roadways with smart road technology.
• Improve safety, pavement conditions and operations.
• Encourage new and reliable transit routes and transit use.

• Bridge the gap between the technology in vehicles and on the roads.
• Improve safety along the corridor.
• Enhance road maintenance and incident response.
• Provide opportunities to address lack of transit access.         

• Right General-Purpose Lane Alternative: Equip the existing right-side general-purpose lane with Cavnue’s digital infrastructure and a series of physical improvements. This alternative was not carried forward due to the operational complications between the lane and the existing freeway entrance on/off ramps and interchanges.
• Inside Shoulder-Running Alternative: Equip the existing inside (left) shoulder with Cavnue’s digital infrastructure and a series of physical improvements. This alternative was not carried forward because several segments along the project corridor have limited right of way to accommodate a shoulder-running lane.
• Additional Lane Alternative: Adding a lane in each direction to I-94 for a technology-enabled express lane. This alternative was not carried forward due to limited right of way to accommodate an additional lane. 

• No Build Alternative: Provides a baseline of comparison with the build alternative.
•  Build Alternative: Equip the existing inside (left) general-purpose lane with Cavnue’s digital infrastructure and a series of physical improvements. Vehicles would be able to access the lane through access points, to be at least 2,000 feet in length, to allow merging. The Build Alternative would operate similarly to that of a managed lane frequently found in other states.

The lane would initially be open to both CAVs and non-CAVs. As CAVs become more widely adopted in the future, the lane may have restrictions to CAVs only. 

Trucks, which comprise less than 10 percent of traffic along the project corridor, would continue to use the right-most general-purpose lane, consistent with Chapter 257.634 of the Michigan Vehicle Code.

MDOT and Cavnue are working with Wayne and Washtenaw counties to develop a plan for winter operations and maintenance.