Connected autonomous software specialist, Cohda Wireless, is partnering with Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in Australia’s largest cooperative intelligent transport system (C-ITS) trial.

The Ipswich Connected Vehicle Pilot will involve around 500 public and fleet vehicles, which will be retro-fitted with Cohda Wireless’s on-board unit (OBU).

V2I and V2V infrastructure

A core component of the pilot is the field operational test of several C-ITS safety applications, including vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) internationally-compliant C-ITS technologies.

The trial will in the city of Ipswich aims to prepare the state of Queensland for the emergence of advanced vehicle technologies and their associated benefits of improved safety, mobility and reduced environmental impact.

As part of the trial, arterial and motorway infrastructure in and around the city will be fitted with roadside C-ITS devices that will talk to the Cohda OBU in each of the participating vehicles. The Cohda OBUs are designed to exchange data at high speeds over extended distances, permitting class-leading reactions times to potential hazards and safety-critical scenarios. The roadside units and in-vehicle devices will communicate with each other to share safety-related warnings and advisory messages with drivers.

Use-case applications include:

• Emergency braking warning (V2V): alerts drivers to a cooperative vehicle braking hard some distance ahead;
• In-vehicle speed warning (V2I): provides drivers with information about active, static or variable speed limits. It then alerts them if they are exceeding that limit;
• Turning warning for bicycle riders and pedestrians (V2V): alerts drivers to pedestrians or bicycles crossing at an upcoming intersection;
• Road works warning (V2I): alerts drivers to upcoming roadworks, giving them time to slow down or change lanes;
• Back-of-queue-warning (V2I): provides drivers with information about an upcoming traffic queue;
• Red light violator warning (V2I/V2V): alerts drivers that another cooperative vehicle is likely to run a red light across their path at the intersection ahead;
• Red light warning (V2I): alerts drivers if it’s likely that they’ll drive through a red light ahead, unless they brake;
• Stopped or slow vehicle warnings (V2V): alerts drivers of an impending rear-end collision with another cooperative vehicle ahead of them;
• Hazard warning (V2I): alerts drivers to upcoming hazards, such as water on the road, road closures, or a crash.

Cohda’s role includes the provision of the display that will be incorporated into the dash board of each participating vehicle to provide alerts and messages to the driver.

"The Ipswich Connected Vehicle Pilot will contribute significantly to the advancement of a connected and cooperative road transport environment in Australia"

Cohda Wireless CEO Dr Paul Gray said that the project will produce quantitative data that will be of interest and relevance all over the world and will position Australia as a leading nation in the application of technology to make our roads safer and more environmentally friendly.

“We firmly believe that the Ipswich Connected Vehicle Pilot will contribute significantly to the advancement of a connected and cooperative road transport environment in Australia and we are delighted to be a partner in it,” explained Dr Gray.

He added: “We are particularly excited about being involved in an initiative of this scale and magnitude that has connectivity at its core. We believe that connecting road users and infrastructure is critical.”

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said working with these world leading organisations would provide an opportunity for the Queensland Government to demonstrate to road users the safety-related features of cooperative, or connected, vehicle technologies.

“I am pleased a major milestone in the development and delivery of this project has been reached in confirming Cohda Wireless as a partner in the Pilot. All organisations involved have a track record for delivering quality ITS projects and have experience in the emerging area of connected vehicles.”

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