Utah DOT to Expand ‘Connected Vehicle’ Program

The state is testing a data-gathering system that could help improve road safety and alert transportation authorities to mobility trends.

1 minute read

June 5, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Three cars stopped at a traffic light in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah at night.

Dave Pedragon / Adobe Stock

Results from a five-year ‘connected vehicle’ program in Utah are prompting the state’s transportation agency to expand its efforts, reports Skip Descant in GovTech.

The project, developed in collaboration with Panasonic, “has deployed about 490 “roadside units” (RSUs), which communicate with onboard units — technology installed on public-sector vehicles, which can vary from light-duty cars and trucks to city buses and snowplows.” The program uses data from roughly 190 participating vehicles to understand mobility patterns and, ultimately, improve road safety.

Descant explains that “The [Panasonic] Cirrus system, which collects and analyzes connected vehicle data, looks for trends and areas that might raise concern.” This can help DOTs use the data to take actionable steps to make roads safer and city services more efficient.

One way to use the system is smart transit signal priority, which can change traffic signals to streamline travel for transit buses or alert officials to snowed-in roads. “In other words, the idea is to take this data and be able to use it to intervene, potentially altering a snow-plow route as needed, or updating messages on digital highway signage.”

Monday, June 3, 2024 in GovTech

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.