Safe micromobility and the smart intersection are some of the most recent buzzwords in the travel industry. But they are not just buzzwords. They are key to the realization of safe and efficient travel and come with a host of advantages. These include less wastage of fuel; a future of driverless cars that are safe to use; and reduced congestion on roads.
Dealing With Congestion in Urban Centers
One of the most pressing problems in cities, especially populous ones, is congestion. And one of the factors that most contributes to congestion is the issue of last or first-mile connectivity to existing public transport infrastructure.
A fair amount of people in every city are located quite a distance from the bus stop or the metro station. This necessitates some other form of transport in addition to the bus or the train. Some people walk while others prefer to take their personal vehicles all the way to the destination, which worsens the congestion problem.
The Urban Mobility Platform
The introduction of an urban mobility platform is one of the solutions to the problem of congestion and gaps in existing public transport infrastructure This can be implemented through micromobility.
Micromobility refers to methods of travel that usually have a top speed of 15 miles per hour, such as scooters and bicycles. Modern micromobility solutions are dockless, meaning that the user doesn’t have to return them to their original location.
Such solutions have helped ease congestion and make travel more efficient.
However, they come with the added problem of more road accidents.
Achieving Safe Micromobility With V2x Communication
Scooters and bikes can be equipped with wireless communication devices that connect them to v2x-enabled vehicles and infrastructure. Through this connection, vehicles can be made aware when cyclists are nearby, leading to a reduction in the number of accidents.
Studies show that most accidents involving cyclists usually occur because both the cyclist and the driver were unaware of each other. V2x communication takes care of this problem, even when the cyclist is outside the line of sight of the vehicle. This is because the wireless technology used enables communication that isn’t affected by obstacles.
Making Road Travel Safer
Intersections, especially busy ones, are a leading contributor to road accidents. The number of variables at intersections, in addition to human traits such as impatience, makes them a prime spot for road accidents.
Additionally, a lot of time can be wasted at intersections, contributing to the inefficiency of road travel.
Smart Intersections Are Safer and More Efficient
A smart intersection is one that has been equipped with sensory devices, the ability to communicate with other entities on the road, and some processing capability.
Sensory devices include high-quality cameras, LiDaR sensors, infrared sensors, and Radar sensors. A combination of some of these sensory devices makes the intersection aware of all surrounding entities, including approaching vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The intersection is also equipped with some processing capability. For example, it should be able to analyze the relative speed and distance between a vehicle and a cyclist, and determine whether an accident is likely to occur.
If the intersection determines that an accident is likely to occur, it should be able to warn the road users involved, which is why it must be equipped with communication devices.
Such devices are wireless and two-way. As such, the intersection can use information gathered by other entities to maintain situational awareness even beyond the line of sight.
Bonus Advantages of Making Intersections Smart
Upgrading an intersection to make it smart would involve the installation of sensors, roadside units, and communication devices. It may be a significant investment for jurisdictions. However, it would prove a worthwhile investment, both short term and long term.
In the short term, one of the advantages to be gained is the realization of safer, more efficient intersections that save time for road users.
However, such advantages are limited by the currently-low penetration of v2x communication technology. It is expected that more of this technology will be adapted with time. As more cyclists, vehicles, and other road users are equipped with v2x communication devices, the benefits of v2x communication can only become more evident.
V2x Communication
Vehicle-to-everything (V2x) communication is a technology that will connect vehicles to all other entities around them, including other vehicles, infrastructure such as intersections and traffic lights, pedestrians, and other road users such as cyclists.
V2x communication will be key in facilitating micromobility that is safe and efficient. It will also be central to making intersections smart.
Currently, in Asia, Europe, and North America, the implementation of v2x communication is already underway. Original Equipment Manufacturers have started equipping products with v2x communication devices.
One factor that is helping push for the adoption of v2x technology is the accelerated development towards self-driving cars. V2x will be crucial if we are to have safe, autonomous driving.
