Secure Digital Infrastructure through Open Architecture and Connected Vehicle Technologies

The Challenge | The Solution | Results | Conclusion

Executive Summary

The Innovate Mound project, a $217 million reconstruction of a critical nine-mile industrial artery in Macomb County, MI, represents a paradigm shift in urban infrastructure. Serving as the primary connector for global automotive giants like Ford, GM, and Stellantis, the corridor was suffering from failing pavement and severe congestion. By integrating Connected Vehicle (CV) technology within an open architecture framework, Macomb County transformed a traditional roadway into a “living laboratory” for 21st-century mobility. A central pillar of this success was the partnership with Econolite, whose technology enabled a flexible, vendor-neutral system capable of evolving with future Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) needs.

The Challenge

Mound Road is an economic engine supporting over 200,000 jobs serving as a major corridor for the region. By 2017, the road had reached the end of its lifecycle, with congestion threatening the “just-in-time” logistics required by neighboring manufacturing plants. The goal was not merely to fix the road but to create a “forward-flexible” corridor. This required a technological foundation that could support:

• Real-time traffic optimization to reduce idling and emissions.
• Emergency vehicle and freight priority systems.
• Reliable vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication.
• An “open” environment where different software and hardware could work together without being locked into a single proprietary vendor.

The Solution

To achieve this flexibility, the project team utilized an open architecture approach. Unlike traditional closed systems, this framework enables Macomb County to integrate best-in-class components from various manufacturers, ensuring the roadway system remains upgradeable as 5G and C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything) standards evolve.

Econolite played a pivotal role for this interoperability by providing its EOS traffic controller firmware and intelligent intersections. The EOS controller firmware platform is designed with an open architecture that prioritizes interoperability, allowing it to interface seamlessly with:

• Roadside Units (RSUs): Deployed at every major intersection to broadcast Signal Phase and Timing (SPaT) and MAP messages.
• Macomb County COMTEC: The centralized “brain” where real-time data from Econolite systems is used to monitor delays and adjust signals dynamically.
• CV Applications: Supporting safety features like wrong-way detection, queue warnings, and weather-responsive signal timing.

Results

The implementation of this smart technology yielded immediate, measurable benefits:

• Signal Modernization & V2I: The installation of fiber-optic cabling and CV hubs at each intersection enabled high-speed data transfer, essential for the Signal Phase and Timing (SPaT) messages that help connected vehicles anticipate light changes.
• Safety & Hazard Mitigation: The system now supports Wrong-Way Detection and Pavement Quality Detection, allowing for proactive maintenance and emergency response.
• Priority Systems: Using the RSUs, the corridor can grant Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) and is testing freight priority, which allows heavy trucks to maintain momentum, significantly reducing the fuel-heavy “start-stop” cycle.
• Construction Efficiency: The technological focus extended to the build itself. Using Bluebeam for collaborative digital design and a design-build approach, the project was finished in just three years, saving nearly seven years compared to traditional methods.

Environmental and Economic Impact
While specific long-term gallons-saved data is still being compiled by COMTEC, the “smart” features are projected to deliver significant environmental gains:

• Emissions Reduction: By reducing bottleneck idling and smoothing traffic flow through signal optimization, the project targets a 10-15% reduction in localized CO2 and NOx emissions.
• Fuel Savings: Synchronized “green waves” for freight convoys reduce the excessive fuel consumption typical of heavy vehicles accelerating from stops.
• Economic Retention: The $217 million investment, including a historic $98 million INFRA grant, ensures that the $8.7 billion in annual wages supported by the corridor remain in Michigan.

Conclusion

The Innovate Mound project demonstrates that the future of roads lies in their ability to communicate. By choosing an open architecture system powered by Econolite, Macomb County has ensured that Mound Road is not just a piece of concrete, but a dynamic digital asset. It serves as a national blueprint for how local agencies can leverage federal funding to build infrastructure that is safer, cleaner, and ready for the era of autonomous mobility.