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

  • Get connected at ITS European Congress in Lisbon
    February 20, 2020
    The way connectivity is transforming how we plan and deliver mobility will be discussed in detail at this year’s ITS European Congress in Lisbon from 18-20 May.
    Read More
  • Over-the-air software updates to benefit for automotive market, IHS says
    September 8, 2015
    While quite common in smartphones and personal computers, remote over-the-air (OTA) software updates are still only in their infancy in the automotive space, according to a new report from IHS Automotive. The report finds that OTA software updates will eventually be a big benefit for the automotive industry due to their capacity to reduce warranty costs, potentially increase overall completion rates for software-related recalls, improve customer satisfaction by eliminating trips to the dealership for so
    Read More
  • Coalition urges White House to reject plan for open spectrum
    May 6, 2016
    A coalition of over fifty 50 automakers, state transportation agencies and other groups has written to the White House and other federal policymakers urging them not to open a portion of the wireless spectrum reserved for connected vehicles in the near future, says Reuters. The letter was signed by major auto trade groups representing nearly the entire auto industry, including Toyota Motor Corp, Ford Motor Co, General Motors Co, Volkswagen AG and Honda. It came after a cable industry trade group and some te
    Read More
  • Q-Free to supply further toll tags to Brazil
    January 4, 2013
    As part of the award of a frame agreement worth US$12.8 million for the supply of toll tags, Q-Free is to supply tags to the value of US$4.1 million to Centro Gestao Meios de Pagto (CGMP) in Brazil. Tags valued at US$8.4 million have already been supplied under the agreement. Q-Free says its OBU610 is the most advanced universal toll tag of its kind, designed to blend into the interior of any modern vehicle, small enough not obstruct the driver’s view, and yet powerful enough to support all applicable CEN
    Read More

Highlighted Content