Eastlink trials of automated vehicle technologies ‘have delivered real results’

Trials in Australia to determine the compatibility of the latest automated vehicle technologies with EastLink have been steadily progressing throughout this year. The trials are being undertaken by EastLink in partnership with VicRoads, the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB), La Trobe University and RACV, with the assistance of major vehicle manufacturers. With autonomous driving on EastLink and other suitable freeways expected within the next few years (subject to legislative changes), Eastlink says the
August 23, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

Trials in Australia to determine the compatibility of the latest automated vehicle technologies with EastLink have been steadily progressing throughout this year.

The trials are being undertaken by EastLink in partnership with 4728 VicRoads, the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB), La Trobe University and RACV, with the assistance of major vehicle manufacturers.

With autonomous driving on EastLink and other suitable freeways expected within the next few years (subject to legislative changes), Eastlink says the trials have produced real results for freeway operators and vehicle manufacturers to facilitate the safe and early introduction of this capability on EastLink and other Victorian freeways.

EastLink trials have already been conducted with the latest Level.2 vehicles provided by the widest range of manufacturers for a trials program of this type, including 1731 BMW, 1683 Honda, 1844 Mazda, 1685 Mercedes, 4962 Mitsubishi and 609 Volvo. The most recent technology demonstration to be completed involved a vehicle provided by 8534 Tesla. This week, a vehicle provided by 4349 Lexus has commenced trials on EastLink. In addition, 2125 Audi and 1686 Toyota will soon be providing vehicles to assist with the trials program.

Vehicle manufacturers and freeway operators are now able to work on taking advantage of these opportunities to further improve the performance of the latest Level.2 automated vehicle technologies, which will pave the way for Level.3 hands-off-the-wheel driving on EastLink and other suitable freeways, subject to legislative changes.

With Level 3 autonomous driving on the way, Eastlink envisages that freeway operators will need to communicate directly to autonomous vehicles, for example to communicate a change in conditions or operating environment (e.g. emergency incident, congestion event, or lane/tunnel/bridge/freeway closure).

As part of the trials, connected vehicle transceivers are now being installed at three of EastLink’s tolling gantries, to create a section of road enabled for vehicle to vehicle and vehicle to infrastructure communications.

Initial testing has been focused on verifying the compatibility of connected vehicle communications (5.9 GHz) with the existing DSRC tolling tag communications (5.8 GHz).

The trials program will next conduct on-road tests of different message types using suitably equipped connected vehicles.

Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Here announces connected vehicle breakthrough
    October 10, 2016
    Here, the global location technology company, is at the ITS World Congress with a major breakthrough in connected cars. At this year's Paris Motor Show, the company announced that Audi, BMW and Mercedes- Benz will supply Here, which they jointly own, with real-time sensor data collected by their cars to enable systems to better understand their surroundings. The deal marks the first time a trio of leading brands have agreed to share data, and could indicate the beginning of a proper connected car industry.
    Read More
  • Road user charging potential solution to transportation problems
    December 14, 2012
    A number of new and highly significant open road tolling schemes have just been launched or are soon to ‘go live’. Systems of road user charging are flexing their muscles as the means to solve politically sensitive transportation problems, reports Jon Masters. Gothenburg, January 2013, will be the time and place for the launch of the next city congestion charging scheme in Europe. In a separate development, Los Angeles County’s tolled Metro ExpressLanes began operating in November 2012 – the latest in a ser
    Read More
  • ITS New Zealand welcomes autonomous car testing in New Zealand
    February 25, 2016
    Intelligent Transport Systems New Zealand (ITSNZ) is enthusiastic about the future of their industry following the publication of Ministry of Transport guidelines for testing of autonomous vehicles on New Zealand roads. The guidelines outline rules and offer advice to any organisation considering testing of autonomous vehicles in New Zealand and encourage companies to share findings with the Ministry and NZ Transport Agency so that the country can benefit from the opportunities this emerging technology
    Read More
  • DSRC? ‘It’s become a faith-based thing’
    March 2, 2021
    The US FCC’s decision on 5.9GHz led to Applied Information offering DSRC buybacks to DoTs. Bryan Mulligan tells Adam Hill that we now just need to get on and roll out CV technology...
    Read More

Highlighted Content