IN-PERSON: The Elderwise classroom, 2275 Platt Road
This Connected Vehicles class looks at how the idea of cars “talking” to each other and the world around them has grown from early research projects into real systems on today’s roads. We will explore how these technologies aim to prevent crashes, ease traffic, and make travel more efficient for everyone. We will learn about current uses already in the field – like signal priority for buses, work-zone warnings, pedestrian alerts, and speed guidance on tricky curves. We will also look at the evolution of connected vehicle and infrastructure technologies. Looking ahead, we will consider future ideas such as vehicles coordinating their movements, smarter routing, and improved safety insights. We will not ignore the hurdles – slow industry adoption, funding gaps, privacy concerns, and the challenge of setting common standards. By the end of the class, we will have a clear picture of both the promise and the practical challenges of connected vehicle technology. The class is presented by staff from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI): Debra Bezzina is the Managing Director for the Ann Arbor Connected Environment. Her career spans academia and industry, which has led to significant advancements to the field of transportation, particularly in connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies. She holds degrees in electrical engineering and business administration, along with a program management certification. Zachary Jerome is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UMTRI, and is Co-founder and CEO of Connected Traffic Intelligence (CTI). He earned his Ph.D. in 2025 from the University of Michigan, where he conducted his research in Dr. Henry Liu’s Mobility Transformation Lab (MTL). Andrew Donaldson is the Lead Research Engineer for the Ann Arbor Connected Environment, guiding two major federal initiatives: the Smart Intersections Project and AACE 2.0. Andrew is known for building strong, diverse teams and driving innovation from concept through delivery. A hands-on leader with deep technical insight, he brings a rare mix of big-picture vision and detail-driven execution. Simply put, he gets things done.
