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Connected vehicle technology is a
wireless-based technology which
enables vehicles to communicate
with each other as well as traffic
infrastructure such as traffic lights.
They can communicate through
devices which are installed on-
board the vehicle which receives
warning signals ahead of time about
road closures, accidents, weather
conditions and other potential
hazards.
Connected vehicle technology aims
to enable safe, interoperable wireless
network communications between
vehicles (vehicle-to-vehicle V2V), the
infrastructure (vehicle-to-infrastructure
V2I) and personal devices (Vehicle-
to-device V2X). With the potential
capabilities of this technology we can
hope for a safer, smarter and greener
road transport industry.
The vision for connected vehicle
technology is to transform and
modernise road transport systems to
create a future where:
■
Road traffic accidents and fatalities
as a result are dramatically reduced.
■
Traffic managers being able
to access data so they can
accurately review transport system
performance and actively manage
the system in real-time, for optimal
performance.
by Richard Newbold, founder of Returnloads.net
■
Drivers have access to accurate,
up to date travel information about
route options and the potential cost
and environmental impact of those
options.
■
Vehicles can communicate
with traffic signals to eliminate
unnecessary stops and help drivers
operate the vehicle for optimal fuel-
efficiency.
Connected vehicle technology can
help the transport industry tackle some
of its biggest issues including:
Safety:
In 2014 there were 268,527 vehicles
involved in road accidents which
resulted in 1,775 reported deaths and
194,477 injuries. Connected vehicle
technology has the potential to
significantly reduce road accidents
and as a result save lives through
connected vehicle crash prevention
systems.
Safety applications would allow for 360
degree awareness around the vehicle
to alert the driver to any potential
hazards they possibly couldn’t see.
These applications have the potential
to prevent accidents through alerts and
warnings. For example a driver may be
alerted of school zone, a pot hole or
a slippery area of the road and could
be warned in more immediate crash
situations such as merging traffic or if
the vehicle in front brakes suddenly.
Vehicles could be warned of cyclists
and pedestrians which would enhance
safety for these methods of transport, it
would also be beneficial to HGV drivers
to be warned of potential cyclists/
pedestrians in their blind spots.
Mobility:
In 2014 UK drivers spent on average
3 working weeks of their lives stuck in
traffic with journeys taking 29% longer
than they would’ve in free flowing
traffic. The overall cost to the UK
economy in 2014 was £13bn, 37% of
which was indirect costs from higher
transport cost and business fees from
company vehicles idling in traffic which
is then passed on to the consumer.
Connected vehicle mobility systems
will enable drivers and operators to
make route choices which will reduce
their journey time.
Mobility applications are designed to
provide a connected, data enriched
transport environment based on
information transmitted from thousands
of connected vehicles that are using
the system at the same time. This data
could help transport managers monitor
and manage their transport system
performance. For example managing
driver routes and utilising resources as
efficiently as possible.
Environment:
In 2014 eco-unfriendly driving habits
cost the UK motorist £700m. With
connected vehicle environmental
applications drivers will be able to
make decisions which improve their
efficiency behind the wheel, resulting
in lower cost to the motorist and a
reduction in CO
2
emissions.
With real-time information about traffic
congestion and road conditions this will
help drivers and transport managers
make more informed decisions that can
reduce the impact on the environment
and cut down costs. Informed drivers
will have the opportunity to avoid
congested areas by taking alternative
routes or public transport, or by
rescheduling their journey, all of which
can make the journey more fuel
efficient and better on the environment.
The ability for vehicles to communicate
with traffic infrastructure could provide
information to the driver so that they
can drive through traffic signals at
optimum speeds to reduce stopping.
Although connected vehicles are still
some way off the potential for the
technology is huge and could reduce
road accident fatalities, reduce travel
delay and reduce vehicle emissions.
Howwill connected
vehicles affect us?
24
Logistics Business Magazine | November 2015
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES