Expressway to be upgraded for automatic driving test in Shandong

JINAN -- A section of an expressway in east China's Shandong province is being upgraded for automatic driving tests and is expected to be open to traffic in September.

The 26-km-long test section has three tunnels, three toll gates and a bridge, with numerous longitudinal slopes that imitate real road situations, said Xiang Lichang, general manager of Qilu Transportation Development Group.

Intelligent roadside sensing units such as laser infrared radars, microwave radars, panoramic video surveillance, weather monitoring and intelligent traffic guidance signs will be installed based on the technical norms from the Ministry of Transport.

Zhou Yong, the group's chairman, said a world-class center for automatic driving tests, research and development, incubation and service will be built in the area by 2024.

As one of the first sections for testing automated vehicles in China, the project will accelerate technological integration in building smart roadways and promote research and practice in related fields, said Li Zuomin from the ministry.