THEA tests connected vehicle technology in Florida

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) in Florida trialled connected vehicle technology which it says could lead to collision avoidance in real life. The test was carried out as part of the THEA Connected Vehicle (CV) pilot, an initiative which relies on wireless communication between onboard units that have been mounted on poles along the Slemon Expressway and throughout downtown Tampa. A special rearview mirror was installed in eight vehicles to display safety alerts to drivers. The ve
February 7, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

The 7384 Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) in Florida trialled connected vehicle technology which it says could lead to collision avoidance in real life. 

The test was carried out as part of the THEA Connected Vehicle (CV) pilot, an initiative which relies on wireless communication between onboard units that have been mounted on poles along the Slemon Expressway and throughout downtown Tampa. A special rearview mirror was installed in eight vehicles to display safety alerts to drivers. 

The vehicles, equipped with onboard units, travelled in a line behind a lead driver who slammed the brakes on during rush hour conditions. The other drivers received an alert in time to take action and avoid a collision via a CV application called Emergency Electronic Brake Light.

A second test was conducted to show a single roadside unit could upload data from multiple cars travelling at a high rate of speed in 40mph. The tests showed that the system can collect data to help improve safety, improve traffic flow and evaluate the effectiveness of CV technology. 

Bob Frey, director of planning and innovations for THEA, says: “These tests provided crucial data that we can use to make further improvements to the system, which translates into improved safety and mobility for Tampa drivers.”

Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Here and CDOT to partner on US RoadX connected vehicle project
    January 12, 2016
    The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and mapping and location technology specialist Here are to partner in the first cellular network-based connected vehicle alert system in North America.
    Read More
  • European communicating cars test drive concludes
    November 21, 2014
    The European communicating cars test drive along the Cooperative ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) Corridor spanning Austria, Germany and the Netherlands has reached its final destination in the Netherlands. Initiated by NXP Semiconductors, the test drive also included Siemens, Honda, Cohda Wireless, TÜV Süd and automobile clubs AvD and ANWB. The ITS showcase ended in Helmond following a week-long tour which began at the Electronica electronics trade show in Munich. The event saw a convoy of five Ho
    Read More
  • Here to lead vehicle hazard warning pilot in Finland
    July 1, 2015
    Mapping and navigation specialist Here has been selected by Finnish traffic agencies Finnish Transport Agency (FTA) and Trafi, the Finnish Transport Safety Agency to lead a pilot project to enable vehicles to communicate safety hazards to others on the road. Here will also work with traffic information management service company Infotripla in implementing the project, which will be the first to implement a road hazard warning messaging system as described in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
    Read More
  • Drivers connected as never before
    May 2, 2014
    Australia’s New South Wales Centre for Road Safety is to embark on a trial that will allow trucks to transmit and receive warnings about road hazards. The Cooperative Intelligent Transport Initiative (CITI) project will trial Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (CITS) technology along a 42 kilometre major transport link in the Wollongong region. Historically, most crashes along this route involve heavy vehicles, so the first phase of the five-year trial will include 30 heavy vehicles fitted with CI
    Read More

Highlighted Content