Skip to main content

En route to an open V2X architecture

During 2012 to 2015 the CONVERGE project has defined the organisational and technical foundations of an open and collaborative architecture for V2X-communication. The results of that work have now been made public. Although the technical requirements for safe and efficient transport of individuals and road freight have long since been fulfilled, a flexible and secure communications network is still required. "Only if we manage to combine various communication systems such as wireless LAN, mobile data networ
June 24, 2015 Read time: 3 mins

During 2012 to 2015 the CONVERGE project has defined the organisational and technical foundations of an open and collaborative architecture for V2X-communication. The results of that work have now been made public.

Although the technical requirements for safe and efficient transport of individuals and road freight have long since been fulfilled, a flexible and secure communications network is still required.

"Only if we manage to combine various communication systems such as wireless LAN, mobile data networks and broadcasting, we will be able to use information about traffic conditions in a better and smarter way," project coordinator Horst Wieker said at the presentation of CONVERGE results.

"Our goal has been extending different communication systems for the targeted distribution of information and making them shareable," said Wieker. "Accordingly, we can create the conditions for a significant improvement in traffic flow and enhance road safety."

Funded by the German Federal Government, the CONVERGE project has created a basis for the organisation and operation of a coordinated, open, expandable and decentralised V2X system network. This includes the communication of vehicles with other vehicles, with service providers or with components of the transport infrastructure such as ITS roadside stations.

One of many possible application scenarios is ‘wrong-way driver notification’. The cooperative road infrastructure identifies a wrong-way driver and immediately warns the driver and endangered road users within the immediate area via their Smartphone or on the navigation screen.

CONVERGE has worked to create an architecture which allows any number of content and service providers to interact in a protected network and to disseminate information only as needed by the user’s current geographical position, regardless of their access technology.

Wieker stresses that it is not just about indicating danger: "If traffic reports are intelligently networked with the planned route of a truck and the current availability of truck parking areas, freight transport can be routed more efficiently. This avoids delays at loading ramps and supports the driver compliance with statutory rest periods."

Numerous key players have been involved in the CONVERGE research and preparation of nationally and internationally recognised standards for the V2X architecture. These include service providers, traffic control centres, road infrastructure and mobile operators, automotive manufacturers and suppliers, IT service providers, as well as universities and research institutes.

The results of the project are available online (link %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal http://www.converge-online.de/?id=000000&amp;spid=en Visit Convergeo-online.de false http://www.converge-online.de/?id=000000&amp;spid=en false false%>) and initial activities to put the CONVERGE architecture into practice are already being prepared.

Related Content

  • EGNOS for freight tracking and tracing
    February 10, 2015
    Tracking and tracing devices have been universally adopted in ITS for freight transport and logistics. In addition, through its policies and research initiatives, the European Union is stimulating technological innovation in the use of advanced satellite-based technologies to support smart mobility, higher efficiency and security of freight transport in the logistics chain
  • Kistler looks for speed camera synergies
    March 21, 2018
    Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) specialist Kistler says its move into speed camera enforcement will help complement its core activities. The firm acquired German company eso, which manufactures portable speed measurement devices, last year, and Tomas Pospisek, Kistler’s global market development manager for road & traffic, says: “We’re hoping this will bring us synergies. We’re monitoring the weight and they’re monitoring the speed. It’s an important step, for sure.” When it comes to WIM, Kistler still maintains ther
  • EU aims to turn ITS theory into practice
    May 18, 2016
    Gareth Horton explains how the European Commission’s Transport Research and Innovation Portal can help expedite research and turn theory into practice. Over the next few years Europe’s transport systems face a number of challenges, such as improving urban mobility while at the same time protecting population health and accommodating the accessibility needs of an ageing but active population.
  • TSS touts San Diego pilot program using its Aimsun simulation-based prediction system
    April 23, 2013
    SS-Transport Simulation Systems is touting a recent deployment of Aimsun, its simulation-based prediction system, in the San Diego area as part of a U.S. DOT pilot program. The project, led by San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), won the Best of ITS Award presented at the opening plenary.