Eric D. Lawrence

Detroit Free Press

Southeast Michigan is getting an important designation in the competition to be a hub for self-driving and autonomous vehicle technology.

The American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township has been selected as one of 10 sites from around the country designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a national proving ground for self-driving and autonomous vehicle technology.

Although the designation apparently does not carry any federal funding, it paves the way for private investment into the 311-acre facility at the former Willow Run bomber plant. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who has pushed for the designation, said the announcement is a "big deal" and important because the United States is competing against countries in Europe and Asia, which are also working to promote the technology.

Read more:

Willow Run test pad for connected, self-driving cars breaks ground

State of Michigan approves $17M loan for Willow Run mobility center

"This designation is absolutely vital to ensure that Michigan continues to be the center for advanced automotive technology," Peters said.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. OK'd the $1.2 million purchase of the Willow Run site in July, and a ground-breaking ceremony was held in November.

"The state of Michigan has already established a robust connected vehicle ecosystem by bringing manufacturers, researchers, government officials and other stakeholders together - and ACM will play a central role in this continuing partnership," Gov. Rick Snyder's office said in a statement released late Thursday. “Michigan is in a leadership position in this arena but we aren’t looking to leave anyone behind. Instead we want to be the place where everyone comes together and makes the future happen.”

Self-driving and autonomous vehicle technology has become a major focus for both automakers and tech companies, and it became a prime point of discussion during presentations at this year's North American International Auto Show. In fact, the world's first self-driving minivan – an autonomous Chrysler Pacifica – was unveiled by Waymo at the show. The minivans are expected to be on the roads in California and Arizona later this month.

In making the announcement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a news release that the designations would speed the deployment of autonomous vehicle technology.

“The designated proving grounds will collectively form a Community of Practice around safe testing and deployment,” Foxx said. “This group will openly share best practices for the safe conduct of testing and operations as they are developed, enabling the participants and the general public to learn at a faster rate and accelerating the pace of safe deployment.”

The release said that the sites, which were selected from more than 60 applicants, would encourage testing and information sharing.

"These proving ground designations will foster innovations that can safely transform personal and commercial mobility, expand capacity, and open new doors to disadvantaged people and communities. These designations are a logical next step in the department’s effort to advance the safe deployment of automated technology," the release said.

Here's the full list of proving ground sites, according to the release:

City of Pittsburgh and the Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute

Texas AV Proving Grounds Partnership

U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center

American Center for Mobility at Willow Run

Contra Costa Transportation Authority & GoMentum Station

San Diego Association of Governments

Iowa City Area Development Group

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Central Florida Automated Vehicle Partners

North Carolina Turnpike Authority

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence.