Earlier this month, UDOT hosted the V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) Pooled Fund Study group, bringing together more than 40 state and local transportation professionals from across the country. These fellow DOTs and stakeholders are working to advance technologies that enable vehicles to communicate with surrounding infrastructure. Blaine Leonard and the Connecting the West program team shared how Utah is advancing connected vehicle technology and what it means for the future of transportation.

On the final day of the three-day event, participants rode along in a specially equipped GM vehicle that communicated in real time with traffic signals along the route. One feature warned drivers when they were approaching a red light too fast, while another suggested the ideal speed to catch the next green light, making the drive both safer and smoother. Together, these functions offer a glimpse into the life-saving capabilities of V2X technology.

This work is strengthened through collaboration, including participation in a multi-state pooled fund study focused on accelerating V2X deployment. The V2X consists of representatives from 24 state and local DOTs, the Federal Highway Administration, and Transport Canada. By working together across state lines, we are speeding up innovation and spreading V2X awareness beyond Utah.

Utah has long been a proving ground for transportation innovation, and moments like this remind us why sharing what we've learned matters. The more states that adopt and refine V2X technology, the safer and more connected our roads become for everyone, from Utah and beyond.

Click here to view photos from the event.