Executive Insights: Comcast Business by Crain's Detroit Business

EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

SPONSORED BY COMCAST BUSINESS

Public-Private Partnerships Advance Quest for Intelligent, Connected Future By Julie Walker For Crain’s Content Studio

hile legislation surrounding connected and electrified vehicles makes slow progress on Capitol Hill, states, manufacturers and technology companies are staying the course — developing technology-forward automobiles and communities that will save money, lives and energy. With the most mobility-related patents in the country, Michigan is boldly configuring smart roads that run through cities fortified with the infrastructure to support smart and autonomous vehicles (AVs). The state has more than 600 miles of roadways equipped with cameras, sensors and significant advancements that allow for crucial testing of connected AVs. In April, the Michigan Department of Transportation and Cavnue announced

billion cars is a better world,” Chernak said. De la Vergne and other thought leaders gathered recently for a roundtable discussion with Comcast Business and Crain’s Content Studio to explore mobility, connectivity and electrification efforts in Michigan.

Paul C. Ajegba (left) said roads with sensors, cameras, electrification and other enhancements would help reduce transit inequities. Jeffrey Marston said Comcast Business could help make such modernization a reality. Photo credit: Nick Hagen

DRIVING THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIC AND CONNECTED CARS AND ROADS “Michigan provides an ideal environment for the testing, development and implementation of electric-vehicle solutions,” said Kathryn Snorrason, managing director for the state’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. One-third of battery production in the country happens in Michigan, which has at least nine EV battery manufacturing

“Michigan provides an ideal environment for the testing, development and implementation of electric-vehicle solutions.” - Kathryn Snorrason, managing director for the state’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. The City of Dearborn is partnering with Comcast Business, Google and others to bring advanced technology to the city built on innovation, Mansour Sharha said. Photo credit: Nick Hagen it would create a 25-mile connected and automated vehicle (CAV) lane on I-94 from Detroit to Ann Arbor, making it the first techenabled infrastructure in the country. The future is autonomous, and the new CAV roadway symbolizes that future, said Mark de la Vergne, vice president of project development at Cavnue. Based in Silicon Valley with offices in Detroit, Cavnue partners with OEMs, autonomous mobility technology companies and public and private organizations to improve mobility. “What we are doing… is building a corridor that will create a reliable experience,” said de la Vergne, former chief of mobility innovation for the City of Detroit. Sam Chernak, senior vice president of connectivity and complex programs at Comcast Business, said automobiles and roadways equipped with new technology would help remove human folly and aggression from driving while simultaneously reducing environmental threats. “A world where you’ve got that in the next

facilities. And earlier this year, the state announced it would install the country’s first wireless EV-charging system along a 1-mile stretch of road near Michigan Central Station in Detroit. In August, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a collaboration with Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin “to build America’s next iconic road trip route” along Lake Michigan. The EV Circuit Tour includes installing a network of EV chargers over 1,100 miles of drivable shoreline. Snorrason said Michigan’s progressive policies, unique geography and robust ecosystem of public-private partnerships make the region an ideal proving ground for testing and deployments. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS BOLSTER MICHIGAN MOBILITY The City of Dearborn has several other initiatives underway. “One of the top things the new generation looks for is safety. Number two is new technological advancements, and number

Mark de la Vergne (left) and Michael Dawisha agree that automation advancements are necessary for society’s growth. Photo credit: Nick Hagen SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 | CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS | 33

SPONSORED BY COMCAST BUSINESS

CREATING A CONNECTED FUTURE

SMART MICHIGAN BY THE NUMBERS

1st connected-vehicle

freeway work zone in the United States

500+ miles of

roadways equipped with automation and connectivity technology

120 miles of roads Cavnue is working with the State of Michigan, City of Detroit, University of Michigan and Ford Motor Co. to develop a 25-mile connected-and-automated corridor between Downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor. The “future-proofed” roadway would allow for increased road safety and greater accessibility to transit. Credit: Cavnue

three is culture and diversity. We have made progress in the region, but I think we should be better from a technology perspective,” said Mansour Sharha, innovation and technology director for the city of Dearborn. Toward this effort, the city is partnering with Comcast Business to convert 32 analog locations into fiber networks. In April, Comcast Business announced it would provide expanded city, community and campus support through Comcast Smart Solutions. The division offers connectivity and consulting services that fuel advanced lighting, building, public works, asset tracking and other solutions. “I think what we’ve been able to do is prevent them from having to reinvent the wheel,” said

along with Flint and Marquette, would participate in its smart cities initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve mobility, enhance public safety and attract and retain talent. Smart cities use information and telecommunication technologies, such as software and sensors like light detection and ranging (LiDAR), to help people, buildings, vehicles and more communicate and share data. The MiNextCities program will help Dearborn “tap into its roots as a birthplace of innovation to fully realize the potential of next-generation smart city solutions,” Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said at the announcement.

- Sam Chernak, Senior Vice President of Connectivity and Complex Programs, Comcast Business

Chernak said there has been “a world of evolution” in interfaces such as fiber and products on the 5G spectrum that can handle high-speed connected vehicles. Sharha said Dearborn is also installing cameras on public vehicles to improve traffic safety and working with Google to offer IT certifications to high schoolers, which will help strengthen the talent pool. The city is also part of the new NextEnergy MiNextCities pilot. In June, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy announced that Dearborn, 34 | CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS | SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

#1 in the country for

and community engagement. Likewise, connected roadways, autonomous vehicles and revolutionized transit systems will help save money, lives and the environment.

mobility-related patents

The “benefit to the public would exceed $800 billion a year in 2030” if the U.S. fully adopted AVs, according to McKinsey & Co. They would reduce the need for public parking, cut road congestion and commute times, reduce damage to the environment and lessen car crash fatalities that result from human error.

and manufacturing electric-vehicle batteries

Michigan Department of Transportation Director Paul Ajegba said modernization efforts would also help eliminate transit inequities.

9 facilities developing 1/3 of battery

production in the country happens in Michigan

Source: Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Dearborn-headquartered Ford Motor Co.

“Comcast leaders understand that although much planning and strategizing still lies ahead, the future of mobility is set — and it’s autonomous.”

Jeffrey Marston, vice president of business services for Comcast Business. “We can take some of the learnings we’ve had in other parts of our footprint and help apply those and share those learnings with governments and organizations trying to do the same thing.”

outfitted with cameras, sensors and other advanced technology

also has significant innovative undertakings in the state. Among them: The automaker is developing a 30-acre walkable innovation hub at Michigan Central Station in Detroit’s Corktown district that will include a novel mobility testing platform. “The project is also a collaborative effort among public and private stakeholders to attract and retain highly skilled talent and high-growth companies while supporting the development of nearby neighborhoods and connecting communities,” Snorrason said. TRANSPORTATION INNOVATION IMPROVES THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE Becoming a smart city allows municipalities like Dearborn to become globally recognized hubs for talent, mobility innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, affordable housing, small business opportunities

“We want to extend our transit opportunities to help bring people to jobs, to school,” Ajegba said. “How do we continue to move the needle on this? Technology.” Michael Dawisha, chief information officer for Genesee County, said large-scale technological changes come with speed bumps but are essential to the advancement of society. “I can walk from here to there, and I know what obstacles to avoid based on my eyes, my ears, touch,” Dawisha said. “Why wouldn’t cars use all the capabilities of technologies afforded to them? I think it’s important to think about building an infrastructure that gives us wide-ranging opportunities for a future that we can’t yet imagine.” Comcast’s Marston said his company helps the public sector find the best paths forward so they can minimize obstacles. One of those paths, Chernak said, is through unique collaborations. “We’re going to see new partnerships created in a profound way to make this thing actually happen,” Chernak said. “Comcast leaders understand that although much planning and strategizing still lies ahead, the future of mobility is set — and it’s autonomous.” To view and share this report online, visit www.crainsdetroit.com/comcastbusiness-creating-a-connected-future

CONNECTED AND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES CAN: • Reduce car crashes and related injuries • Increase energy efficiency • Decrease carbon emissions • Reduce land use (less need for parking) • Improve accessibility to transportation for those without vehicles • Decrease the cost of freight shipping Source: Mcity