Everybody wants predictable and safe travel options

Building a safer physical road infrastructure requires a huge investment, and agencies often apply for public funds to implement their plans. Thanks to funds such as the SMART Grant, these efforts can be combined with digital solutions to achieve more impactful and longer lasting improvements.

One of the easiest ways to upgrade an intersection is to install a modern Traffic Light Controller, connect it to the network, and add state-of-the-art Vehicle-To-Everything (V2X) technology. With the V2X in place, cities and other infrastructure owners and operators (IOOs) can upgrade their vehicles fleets with connectivity and use a range of safety and efficiency features to prevent traffic conflicts and protect vulnerable road users. Even at intersections, where the most complex interactions occur.

Commsignia is working with carmakers, bicycle manufacturers and mobile network operators to build up the operating system of connected traffic. This means, for example, installing V2X on cars and bicycles and providing data management tools to IOOs, putting an emphasis on interoperability with existing TMC tools.

But the roll-out of V2X on vehicles is gradual. We cannot expect all cars, pedestrians and cyclists to be equipped with V2X devices that actively communicate with the cloud or the TMCs – at least not all at once. 

It’s very important to focus on non-connected vulnerable road users, digitizing them with the help of sensors.

Commsignia works with many sensor provider companies such as Bosch, Teledyne, Smartmicro or Velodyne to integrate their cameras, lidars, radars and other devices with our V2X roadside units. V2X is a future-proof road safety investment that provides instant access to advanced traffic services. 

Not only for VRUs

One example of such advanced service is the Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory (GLOSA) application. At first glance it may seem like an optimization, a mobility service. Sure, it will optimize traffic, as TSP with V2X can help buses, ambulances, fire trucks and urban maintenance fleet vehicles move through signalized intersections faster by providing them a green wave. It also helps reduce operating costs.

An independent study made by the Virginia Tech states that GLOSA brings about 22.1 percent saving on fuel and 6.1 percent less travel time.

Optimization often comes with indirect safety benefits. When snow plows with priority do their job faster, fewer people will travel on slippery roads. Garbage trucks cause less disruption in traffic, and less frustration in drivers, so they will keep focusing on driving. And here’s a very obvious one: prioritized ambulances get to the injured people faster, which can truly save lives.

The same priority service can also be a practical tool in supporting VRUs. It can be used to automatically switch to a free crosswalk signal, or maintain a longer signal for safe crossing when sensors detect people on the pavement. V2X performs particularly well in special traffic situations where VRUs are involved. It is worth cooperating with road maintenance companies and local institutions to exploit the potential of V2X. It is possible to set up temporary speed limits when kids arrive at school, and when there are actually people busy in a road work zone. 

Commsignia enables urban fleets retrofitted with V2X, such as ambulances and snow plows, to receive these notifications in the same way as V2X-equipped cars and bikes.

It is always a matter of careful planning to ensure that the V2X infrastructure is set up correctly and does not cause disruption elsewhere. Commsignia Central data and device manager platform can provide insights into potential conflict zones to help planners in optimizing traffic and improving the built infrastructure where it is most needed.

At Commsignia, we are committed to improving mobility for all by providing our partners with cutting-edge innovative V2X software, hardware and services. To find out more about the endless potential of a connected ecosystem and V2X technology click here to contact us today. 

Off the shelf features of V2X