The Future of V2X: GDOT to Lead National Connected Vehicle Initiative
For years, an 18-mile stretch of Interstate 85 in West Georgia has served as a living laboratory for transportation innovation. Today, the technologies proven on The Ray Highway are moving to the national stage.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has authorized the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to lead the Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Pooled Fund Study (V2XPFS). This multi-state initiative will standardize how vehicles communicate with infrastructure—positioning Georgia as the primary architect of the nation’s connected roadway policy.
From The Ray Highway to National Standard
This milestone builds upon the Public-Private-Philanthropic Partnership (P4) between GDOT, The Ray, Panasonic, and Kia Georgia. Since 2019, this partnership has utilized I-85 to prove that V2X technology is a vital tool for modern safety.
By deploying the CIRRUS by Panasonic® platform and outfitting Kia Georgia vehicles with connected technology, the partnership demonstrated how real-time alerts for crashes, work zones, and weather hazards can be delivered to a driver’s dashboard—providing critical foresight before a hazard is even visible.
“We founded The Ray to be a proving ground for the technologies that will transform transportation. For too long, we’ve viewed infrastructure as a static asset. This study is the bridge between our 18-mile lab and a smarter, national network where digital and physical infrastructure stack to support the next generation of innovation.”
Scaling a Shared Mission
As GDOT takes the helm of this national study, the lessons learned on I-85—from managing complex data streams to integrating dual-mode roadside units—will serve as the blueprint for other states. The V2X Pooled Fund Study currently includes 20 state DOTs and Transport Canada, all working toward seamless safety coverage across state lines.
While GDOT leads this national effort, The Ray will continue to serve as a catalyst for research and development, testing next-generation infrastructure—reimagining how the roadway of the future can be cleaner, safer, and more productive — alongside V2X technology.
The road to the future is no longer a pilot project; it is the new national standard. Let’s drive the future.
