The plan diagram of the comprehensive test base for national intelligent traffic in Wuxi. [Photo/miit.gov.cn]

Construction of a comprehensive test base for national intelligent traffic began in Shanshui, a town in Wuxi's Binhu district, on May 16.

The test base is the first of its kind for autonomous driving and is a joint project of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security and Jiangsu Provincial People's Government.

Over nearly 14 hectares, the project will attract investment of about 870 million yuan ($136 million).

The facility's design includes a closed 3.53-kilometer testing road, a highway and multi-function test area, urban blocks, a circuit testing area and an area for high-speed testing.

The facility will take advantage of nearby public roads to provide a semi-open real road environment in which to conduct test with controlled elements of danger.

Construction of the semi-open area will be completed in September this year with testing services for domestic and international companies to follow.

By 2020, the base will perform testing and evaluation of autonomous vehicles, checking operational security, function compliance, and performance reliability and stability.

The construction and operation of the testing base furthers the development of the autonomous driving and internet of vehicles industries and their related laws. The facility also is expected to attract autonomous vehicles enterprises to Wuxi.