‘Smart’ in Ohio's Heartland

With a 45-year history in vehicle testing, Ohio's Transportation Research Center launches a $45-million investment in the automated-vehicle future, becoming North America's largest dedicated AV test facility.

As notions advance regarding the evolving needs and requirements of automated-vehicle (AV) testing, there's a concurrent focus on the capabilities available from the world's comparatively meager number of suitable test facilities. Physical testing of AVs-and vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)-in controlled environments is crucial, but demand for independent testing capacity continues to swell.

Joining the ranks of new or re-purposing AV test sites is central Ohio's Transportation Research Center (TRC) with the mid-July inauguration of its SMARTCenter (Smart Mobility Advanced Research Test Center), a dedicated 540-acre AV and connected-vehicle test area within the immense 4,500-acre TRC proving grounds. Brett Roubinek, TRC president and CEO, said the new SMARTCenter is the largest dedicated AV testing facility in North America.