Audi announced it will develop solutions with Qualcomm and the Virginia DOT to improve traffic … [+]
Between 2015 and 2017 an average of 772 people died each year in construction and maintenance zones, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Audi is developing a solution with Qualcomm that could reduce the number of fatalities.
Audi already uses vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) communication technology to operate its Traffic Light Information (TLI) system, which counts down the remaining time until a red light turns green in the instrument cluster in some of its models. This service can help soothe frazzled nerves of impatient drivers white knuckling the steering wheel until the light turns green, but it also has the potential to do more. Today the automotive manufacturer announced that it is working with Qualcomm and Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement traffic safety applications using V2X. Their first objective will focus on highway work zone warnings.
Cellular V2X encompasses direct short-range communications that operate in the 5.9GHz ITS band and longer-range network communications delivered by mobile network operators. Audi Q8 SUVs will be equipped with Qualcomm’s new chipset that offers direct and network communication. When these vehicles approach a work zone on select norther Virginia highways, the instrument screen will display graduated warnings, culminating with a “low-latency, reliable warning” to drivers of the workers’ physical presence.
The group will also use C-V2X to fine-tune countdown information of the signal phase and timing for the current TLI system. Audi has previously stated that V2X technology could be used in other ways to reduce congestion and enhance mobility, such as integration with the vehicle’s start/stop function, Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory (GLOSA), optimized navigation routing, and other predictive services.
“We are excited about our participation in this pilot deployment as it highlights the broad societal advantages that technology is now poised to deliver through the full 5.9 GHz V2X spectrum near term with far, far more to come as connected and automated vehicle fleets emerge over the next decade,” said Anupam Malhotra, Director, Connected Vehicle Services, Audi of America in a news release.
The C-V2X solution Audi will use is based on third-generation partnership project (3GPP) Release 14 and Release 15 specifications, and has an evolution path to 5G technology using 3GPP Release 16 specifications. Software for these initial use cases will be developed and deployed by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI). The initial deployment is expected to take place on select roadways in Virginia beginning in the third quarter of 2020.
Last week Volvo also announced it will begin testing similar V2X applications on 5G networks operated by China Unicom.
