On the dilapidated grounds of a former factory best known for powering the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II, Michigan officials have moved one step closer to building a national proving ground for connected and autonomous vehicles.
At a groundbreaking ceremony for the nonprofit American Center for Mobility (ACM), government leaders joined company leaders at the 335-acre site at Willow Run, about 30 miles west of Detroit, where they hope legacy automotive manufacturers and tech companies alike will work to test and validate future transportation systems.
A portion of the facility dedicated to highway-style testing of self-driving vehicles is expected to open in December 2017. Other portions of the proving ground are to become operational in gradual phases. Parts of the highway loop will incorporate the use of public roads, and crews will build a 700-foot curved tunnel as part of the test track. Automakers are itching to use the facility now, said John Maddox, ACM’s CEO. He said companies want to test autonomous vehicles that are now in early stages of development as soon as possible. Maddox claims to have received 45 letters of support from OEMs, major suppliers, and others who are interested in using the facility.

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?We?re facing very tough competition from a number of Asian countries making substantial investments.?

? Senator Gary Peters

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Ford, General Motors, and Toyota have expressed particular enthusiasm for the project, he said during remarks at t...