COLUMBUS (AP) — Officials have opened a $45 million testing ground for self-driving vehicles northwest of Marysville.
UPDATE 7/10/19 4:43 p.m.: This article has been updated from an earlier version.
The Transportation Research Center Inc. unveiled its 540-acre SMARTCenter in East Liberty Wednesday.
“The investment in #SmartMobility technology is another example of how the #BuckeyeState is open for smart mobility business—come here to test, stay here to grow.” @ODOT_Statewide Director, Jack Marchbanks. pic.twitter.com/txynBAnHQE
— DriveOhio (@DriveOhio) July 10, 2019
The state-of-the-art automated and connected testing facility features roads and structures intended to replicate the high-speed intersections, rural roads and urban areas normally encountered by drivers. Officials say the facility is among the most advanced in North America.
The goal is to give researchers and vehicle developers access to the types of driving variables that autonomous cars will face in real-life driving situations.
Transportation Research Center programs evaluate the performance of passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, airplanes, off-road, tracked and alternative-fueled vehicles and their components.