Test track proposed for Illinois transportation lab

RANTOUL, Ill. (AP) - A proposed project would add a test track to the Illinois Center for Transportation where researchers could study ideas such as self-repairing roads.

The project proposed at the Advanced Transportation Research and Engineering Laboratory in Rantoul would include a signalized intersection, a roundabout, underpass, bridges, railroad crossing, bus lanes/stops and a bike/pedestrian safety site, The News-Gazette reported.

"In the middle of the (site) will be a smart city with different opportunities to test different types of transportation," said Kristi Anderson, financial operations manager.

The center also expects to be involved with autonomous vehicles.

"Obviously, autonomous vehicles are coming, but we need to make sure it is safe," Anderson said.

The total investment needed for the project likely exceeds $25 million, said Village Administrator Rick Snider.

The nearly 2 mile (3 kilometer) test track wouldn't be possible in Champaign-Urbana because the space isn't available, said Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.

"We have the ability to provide land. We have the ability to provide the utilities that are necessary for this," Snider said. "We have already supplied the internet connections to the university research network."

Researchers from the Illinois Department of Transportation and universities in Illinois and nationwide are studying transportation-related issues at the center. Snider said the project is an opportunity for more university collaborations.

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Information from: The News-Gazette, http://www.news-gazette.com