Consumers revealed a contradiction between driver confidence and worry and expressed an overwhelmingly positive attitude towards the road hazard warning and blind spot range extending attributes of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity – according to new poll results released today by Commsignia, a leading technology company helping to build the next generation of smart mobility ecosystems.

Commsignia fielded an internet panel in October 2022 to gauge various aspects of V2X road safety and car driving attitudes. The poll received 623 responses, reflective of U.S. demographics.

The survey shows the cognitive dissonance of drivers when it comes to confidence and worry.  Around 64 percent of people said they feel overwhelmed in busy traffic situations and worry they might miss something or will not react in time to an unexpected event. The same portion of respondents (64 percent) also reported driving while tired, distracted, or thinking of other things. Yet more than 88 percent indicated they feel confident that they can keep their focus.

The most favored V2X attributes reflect this sentiment, as each would improve driver awareness and safety. The top-scoring features were enhanced awareness around blind spots (96.43 percent favorability); and real-time information on temporary dangerous road conditions such as black ice or objects right ahead on the route (97.08 percent favorability). Notably, older adults indicated greater favorability towards technology that would help prepare them for and react to unexpected events

“Drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike are ready to embrace technology that can make daily commutes safer, easier to navigate and less harmful on the environment,” said Commsignia co-founder and CEO, Laszlo Virag. “Armed with this knowledge, government and private businesses should feel positive about engaging stakeholders to advance smart city infrastructure and connected mobility.”

Respondents overwhelmingly favored transit signal priority for emergency vehicles: 96.76 percent said having first responders and ambulances use V2X technology to respond to emergencies and transport patients more quickly to hospitals to receive lifesaving care was “very useful”. Additionally, more than 90 percent of respondents also support technologies that help reduce pollution.

Popular V2X use cases

• Conventional blind spot sensors can be enhanced with V2X by increasing both range and capabilities, helping to prevent traffic collisions or immediate emergency situations. 
• Traffic Signal Priority (TPS) and ambulances equipped with V2X can help first responders transport patients more quickly to receive lifesaving care.
• Temporary dangers on the road like “black ice” or road obstructions, can be anticipated or avoided with V2X messages that alert road users approaching the potential danger.
• Micromobility (i.e., scooters and bikes) infrastructure can be improved with connected technologies by providing real-time alerts to drivers about the two-wheelers around them. Urban planners can also use V2X messages to identify high-risk intersections and adjust bike routes as needed. 
• V2X can improve air quality and lower emissions by making roads less congested and traffic flow more efficiently. V2X also promotes more cooperative driving (i.e., cruise control) to shorten travel times and reduce accelerations; enhance public transit efficiencies and protect cyclists and scooter riders – all of which encourage more sustainable travel methods.

The concept of vehicle-to-vehicle communication was originally patented 100 years ago and has steadily been deployed across vehicles and roadways as digital communications have improved. Commsignia produces onboard unit (OBU) and roadside unit (RSU) systems, as well as OEM integrated software, to support functions related to V2X connectivity, security, and applications. As autonomous vehicles and new micromobility options gain popularity, V2X technology can improve the harmonization between the connected and non-connected, ensuring they are safely maneuvering their way through traffic.

“There’s no need to wait until self-driving cars are on the road everywhere,” added Virag. “V2X has the potential to bring enormous gains to society today – from safer, more efficient commutes to lower emissions and improved air quality for all.”