The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is beginning a connected vehicle pilot program, selecting Lear Corporation to supply advanced vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure roadside units and on-board units.

Wyoming is one of the U.S. Department of Transportation's pilot sites for connected vehicles, with a focus on trucking and highway driving in adverse weather conditions. Connected vehicle technology enables trucks and WYDOT’s fleets to “talk” to each other and to “talk” to the roadside infrastructure. By enabling this connection, the pilot project will enable drivers to have 360-degree awareness of hazards and situations, including some they cannot see, according to WYDOT.

This means when trucks equipped with this technology approach slowed or stopped traffic, they can receive messages in their vehicles to give more reaction time and choices. Or if equipped vehicles pass roadside devices, drivers can receive messages alerting them to hazardous road conditions, crashes ahead, construction zone information, parking recommendations, or other road and travel information. If the equipped vehicle is stranded, the vehicle can send out an emergency notification to the appropriate center for assistance. 

WYDOT had planned to equip 400 vehicles and install close to 75 roadside units using connected vehicle technology. Private fleet partner trucks will also equip their vehicles with the new technology.

In addition to supplying all related safety applications to this pilot program, Lear's E-Systems will supply its Locomate Roadstar product with features such as dedicated short-range communications, high-precision GPS, Wi-Fi, security, and more.