Mcity Exec to Lead Michigan Autonomous Vehicle Testing Project

The American Center for Mobility (ACM), a nonprofit organization that aims to convert a former General Motors powertrain complex in southeast Michigan into a center for autonomous vehicle testing, has hired John Maddox to lead the $80 million development program.

Maddox had been the assistant director of the University of Michigan’s Mcity testing center, which opened last June in Ann Arbor, Mich. His previous posts include stints as a Volkswagen compliance officer and the associate administrator of vehicle safety research for the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

ACM was formed earlier this year and is in the process of purchasing the 332-acre Ypsilanti Township site from the Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response Trust. The trust is a government-formed entity that took over the site’s operations after GM emerged from bankruptcy. The state of Michigan is expected to provide $20 million in funding to ACM, which is a joint initiative of the Michigan Dept. of Transportation, Michigan Economic Development Corp., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Spark and Business Leaders of Michigan.

The organizers hope to break ground later this year and open the testing center within two years. They claim the facility will be the world's largest testing complex for autonomous vehicles.

The complex will feature a 2.5-mile loop that will serve as a simulated highway—allowing for speeds as fast as 80 mph—with ramps, bridges, merge lanes, signs, changes in elevation and perhaps a curved tunnel. Developers also plan a large configurable intersection, off-road courses and areas to simulate urban, suburban and commercial environments.

In addition to appointing Maddox, ACM formed a board of directors. Members include Jon Kinsey, assistance vice president of research for the University of Michigan; Doug Rothwell, CEO of the Business Leaders for Michigan; Paul Krutko, CEO of Ann Arbor Spark; and Huei Peng, director of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

Several carmakers and suppliers already have expressed interest in using the test center. ACM also plans to work with the Society of Automotive Engineers to establish voluntary standards for the testing of autonomous vehicles.