Thanks to a tie-up between C-VX specialists Applied Information, the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Qualcomm Technologies and the University of Hawaii, C-VX infrastructure is due to be deployed across the state’s highways.
C-V2X is a direct communication technology designed to offer vehicles low-latency communications for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-roadside infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) without the involvement of a cellular network, by operating on designated and harmonized 5.9GHz ITS spectrum.
As a part of the program, the organizations will test several connected vehicle applications in real time and in day-to-day traffic using a V2X-enabled interconnected traffic control system program, administered by the Hawaii DOT and the University of Hawaii College of Engineering.
Applied Information supplied roadside units (RSU), which will provide connectivity between the traffic signals and roadway users, and utilize the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X Platform. Among the applications to be deployed for the project are Red Light Violation Warning, Pedestrian and Cyclist Collision Warnings, Emergency Vehicle Preemption, Transit Signal Priority and Traffic Queue Warning.
The project has been greenlighted under an experimental license granted by the Federal Communications Commission, initially covering a five-mile segment of the state’s Nimitz Highway and Ala Moana Boulevard arterials.
“This C-V2X program introduces the potential to greatly reduce collisions and improve mobility at high-traffic intersections across Honolulu,” said Jim Misener, senior director, product management, Qualcomm Technologies. “In the short term, emergency responders and transit are beneficiaries, but over the longer term all road users could benefit from C-V2X.
“This work with Applied Information and the Hawaii DOT demonstrates the commercial maturity and sophistication of C-V2X technologies, and creates momentum for further introductions of C-V2X technology on roadways across Hawaii and the mainland USA.”
Qualcomm’s 9150 C-V2X platform is designed to ensure reliable, low-latency communication, even in congested areas, and features direct communication range and reliability and reduced latency in the face of congested roadways.
When coupled with the additional hardware and software, the Applied Information solution enables the infrastructure to communicate with any cloud-connected or C-V2X enabled vehicle or device. For example, its TravelSafely smartphone app connects drivers to the infrastructure, providing what it claims is the first application of connected vehicle technology using data from multiple infrastructure sources for day-to-day use by the general public.
The app also connects drivers to other app users such as pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders to provide alerts and warn of potential crashes. Transportation engineers are also empowered to monitor and control their traffic management networks anywhere and anytime with a smartphone or tablet with the technology.