At ITIC, we don’t just build for today’s automotive testing requirements; we are constantly looking five to ten years into the future. To stay ahead of the rapid pace of mobility evolution, we are currently developing or considering several expansions to provide a 360-degree automotive validation experience.

The AV Intersection: Mastering the Complexity of the “Everyday”

While autonomous technology evolves at breakneck speeds, the physical environment remains constant. A vehicle must still navigate the same variables we face daily: traffic lights, stop signs, unpredictable drivers, pedestrians, and complex right-of-way scenarios.  Leveraging original infrastructure, we are repurposing an expansive, four-way intersection into a dedicated testing element.

Proving Ruggedness: Off-Road Course

The industry has spoken, and we are listening. There is growing demand for a dedicated space at ITIC to push suspension systems, all-wheel-drive logic, and structural integrity to their absolute limits.

Utilizing the diverse natural terrain within our footprint, ITIC is considering developing a comprehensive Off-Road Testing element. Theoretically, it would feature a variety of grades, surface types, and obstacles to simulate the world’s harshest driving environments.

Precision Dynamics: The Handling Track

Looking further down the road, ITIC may consider developing a dedicated Handling Track. Such a course could potentially evaluate lateral grip, steering feedback, chassis balance, and more.

Innovation Driven by the Industry

At ITIC, we don’t believe in building for the sake of speculation. Our roadmap is defined by the automotive testing engineers, OEMs, and Tier-One suppliers we serve every day. Whether it’s navigating a busy “city” intersection or conquering a mud-slicked incline, we are committed to providing the infrastructure the industry needs to move from the drawing board to the driveway.

Be on the lookout for more updates as we continue to pursue high-demand developments.

The post Beyond the Horizon: Mapping the Future of Automotive Innovation at ITIC appeared first on International Transportation Innovation Center.

Our new 3-mile Oval Track has been turning heads — not just for the innovative vehicles that test there, but for the quality of the pavement beneath them.

This year, the industry took notice, honoring the track with two prestigious awards.

A Double Win for Quality

The technical mastery required to complete this highway-speed oval earned top honors from the leading authorities in pavement:

• National Recognition: At its annual meeting in January, the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) awarded the project the 2025 Quality in Construction Award.
• State Pride: On February 11, the South Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association (SCAPA) presented the 2025 Quality Pavement Award to the project, citing the track’s superior technical results and overall appearance.

Why ITIC’s Oval Track is a Technical Marvel

Building a highway-speed oval isn’t as simple as building a road. To create a world-class proving ground, the team had to meet “exacting horizontal and vertical tolerances” that most public highways never encounter.

Highlights:

• 3D Modeling & GPS Automation: The team used advanced three-dimensional modeling and GPS machine automation to ensure the grade and slope were precise.
• The Triple-Slope Challenge: One of the most impressive feats was the construction of the return loops. These feature three distinct slopes in a single curve: 6% on the inside lane, 13% in the center, and a steep 25% on the outside lane.
• The Straightaway: A massive 4,250-foot straight that provides the necessary room for high-speed testing and federal regulatory protocols.

Located at the S.C. Technology & Aviation Center (SCTAC) in Greenville, SC ITIC remains at the forefront of mobility innovation. By providing a world-class environment for year-round validation, ITIC ensures that the next generation of vehicles is safer, smarter, and ready for the road.

Experience the precision. Visit our Testing page to learn more about our capabilities.

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Each year in January, Greenville Business Magazine recognizes 50 individuals deemed to have made the biggest impact on the local community during the previous 12 months. In 2012 the magazine established a 50 Most Influential Hall of Fame “for individuals who have continued making a lasting difference in the Upstate.”

Jody, who holds the title of President and CEO of the SC Technology & Aviation Center along with his duties as Executive Director of ITIC, has been named to the 50 Most Influential list no fewer than six times. Since becoming President and CEO of SCTAC in 2008, he has been instrumental in transforming the 2600-acre business park into a globally recognized home for leading automotive, aerospace and advanced manufacturing companies. Today, SCTAC is the Global Home of the Lockheed Martin F-16; the home of South Carolina’s world-class automotive proving ground ITIC; and operates South Carolina’s largest general aviation airport, Donaldson Field.

In December, SCTAC announced results of a study revealing a staggering $6.1 billion annual impact on the statewide economy, prompting Governor Henry McMaster to recognize SCTAC as “a driving force for economic opportunity in the Upstate, helping to further solidify South Carolina’s position as a national leader in manufacturing.”

A link to the complete list of this year’s “Hall of Fame” and 50 Most Influential honorees may be found here.

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The Port Ambassador Program is designed to increase public understanding of SC Ports’ role in our state’s economy. The program has graduated more than 190 participants since its launch in 2016.

“Serving as a Port Ambassador opened my eyes to just how important SC Ports are, not just to Charleston, but to the entire state of South Carolina,” says Liz. “From automotive to agriculture, SC Ports is essential in the efficient movement of imports and exports. No wonder so many companies want to call South Carolina home.”

South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets.

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In July 2024, we were thrilled to learn that the video was named ITIC “Best in Show Video’ at the 2024 Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) Communications Awards. Presented at the SEDC Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia, SCTAC’s “Automotive” video bested all entries across 20 total award categories.

According to Matthew Darius, SEDC Director of Operations, the video “stood out in a highly competitive field, showcasing exceptional creativity, innovation, and impact.”

SEDC is North America’s oldest and largest regional economic development association, representing 17 southern states and 1,200 member organizations.

The winning ITIC Best in Show Video may be viewed by clicking here.

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From flat, smooth highways to steep, rocky mountain roads, automotive engineers know their designs must perform extraordinarily well in the toughest, most hazardous conditions. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards provide the measurement; testing takes place on automotive proving grounds, such as the International Transportation Innovation Center (ITIC) in Greenville, SC.

One of the latest testing features now available at ITIC is a Slope Hill Track. Intended to satisfy FMVSS Test Procedure (TP) 135, the track includes both a 150-ft (45 m) hill with a 10% gradient and one with a 20% gradient and a length of 100 ft (30 m). Each hill is surfaced with a 15-ft (4.5 m) concrete lane parallel to a basalt tile low adhesion surface permitting both high adhesion and split mu testing. Placed side-by-side, the slope hills allow engineers to test a multitude of vehicle applications, including but not limited to:

• ABS braking
• Hill starts
• Traction
• Drivetrain power
• Durability
• Driveability
• Clutch abuse
• Hand braking

The hills may be approached from either side, allowing vehicles to pass up and down the grades.

ITIC’s slope hill testing area is just one of a comprehensive range of circuits and facilities that allow customers to carry out a wide range of activities in ITIC’s controlled and secure environment. Other tracks include a 1-mile Straightaway, a Durability Track, a 1000-ft. Brake Lane, and currently in development is a ~3-mile loop capable of testing at highway speeds.

From passenger to heavy commercial vehicles ITIC stands ready to serve the automotive industry’s testing needs.

Email info@itic-sc.com to contact ITIC for more information.

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Every vehicle manufactured in the U.S. must meet or exceed minimum federal standards established for its brake system. Regardless of vehicle (light vehicle, truck, buses, or trailers) and brake type (hydraulic or air), automotive engineers must prove their design solution allows the vehicle to both slow down and stop safely and effectively.

For this reason, the International Transportation Innovation Center (ITIC) has opened a new 1,000-ft. brake testing lane providing the necessary grip to satisfy PFC requirements of 1.02 using the new 16″ SRTT, required by NHTSA FMVSS TP 105, 121, 126, and 135.

Located in Greenville, SC at the heart of the Upstate South Carolina automotive cluster, ITIC is South Carolina’s world-class automotive test track for automotive OEMs, suppliers, technology providers and research universities to test and validate mobility innovations.

To ensure that even heavy commercial vehicles can gather enough speed before the point of applying brakes, ITIC has taken additional measures to incorporate a 4,000-ft approach lane into its brake testing element. This acceleration segment allows large commercial vehicles to reach 60mph speeds by the time they reach the testing lane.

Likewise, an exit ramp at the end of the 1,000-ft. brake test lane allows vehicles enough time to safely decelerate before circling back to the starting point or exiting the test area. The collective space leading up to, exiting, and surrounding either side of the brake lane makes it easy and convenient for automotive engineering test teams to conduct continuous brake testing to satisfy their needs.

Another convenience offered by ITIC is its location in one of the country’s most heralded cities, Greenville, SC. Located just 8 miles from beautiful downtown Greenville and its award-winning Falls Park, restaurants, accommodations, and entertainment options, ITIC has quickly gained a reputation as a preferred automotive testing facility among southeast region automotive manufacturers and suppliers.

ITIC is also just a 10-minute drive to one of the country’s most prestigious automotive research universities, the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CUICAR); 15 minutes to Michelin North America; 20 minutes to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport; and 25 minutes to BMW North America Manufacturing.

The new brake testing lane is one of the latest assets in ITIC’s impressive list of testing features, which includes:

•      One-mile straightaway

•      1700-ft. durability track can simulate accelerated wear and tear on large commercial vehicles in a controlled environment

•      10% and 20% slope hill with split mu features

•      Additional straightaways and off-road areas

•      EV fast charging station

•      Half-day or full-day track rental available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

•      Surfaces include asphalt, concrete and off-road

•      Transport vehicle parking

•      Dedicated, on-site fire department providing emergency services 24 hours a day 

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