VW, Rutgers and multiple state agencies partner with Verizon’s vehicle-to-everything platform
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) announced Wednesday it is one of the first partners to sign on for Verizon’s Edge Transportation Exchange, a mobile-network vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication platform for connected vehicles.
The commerce authority is joined by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), Rutgers University Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) and Volkswagen Group of America (VW) following a joint demonstration of the V2X with the U.S. Department of Transportation and 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), according to a news release.
“The Edge Transportation Exchange solution allows vehicles to communicate and share important data with each other, pedestrians, and connected roadway infrastructure such as traffic signals, in near real time,” the release says. “The 5GAA joint demonstration included use cases such as informing drivers about vulnerable road users, dangerous weather, and roadway conditions, and traffic signal phase and timing at intersections.”
According to the release, the exchange serves as a platform for automakers, technology developers, and municipal governments to collaborate. It can be used to scale existing connected solutions or innovate new technology for road-user safety.
“Cars are evolving from mechanical vehicles to software-defined mobile devices with the ability to leverage incredible connected technology,” said Shamik Basu, Verizon Business strategic connectivity & IoT vice president, in the release. “Edge Transportation Exchange leverages that technology to give automakers, governments, and tech developers a robust platform for building out the cellular-connected future of transportation with visibility and reliability for all road users top of mind.”
The exchange combines 5G and LTE mobile networks, Verizon 5G Edge mobile edge compute, and geolocation technology enhanced with Verizon Hyper Precise Location, the release says. Virtual architecture reduces the need for roadside radio units, which alleviates costs for transportation departments and local governments.
“The data and communication capabilities from these combined technologies and environments contribute to a feature-rich, mobile network-based V2X ecosystem that users can leverage for near-term applications and long-term innovation at scale,” the release says.
The ACA is working with the University of Arizona, the Arizona Department of Transportation, and the Maricopa County Department of Transportation, along with state and local agencies, to develop new cases and leverage existing ones, including pedestrian detection and upcoming work zone notifications.
“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Verizon Business on the Edge Transportation Exchange platform to increase safety on Arizona roadways,” said Sandra Watson, ACA president and CEO, in the release. “Arizona is proud to be at the forefront of automotive technology advancements.”
The release says DelDOT is currently conducting technical testing across multiple communication technologies and architectures to optimize V2X message delivery. Primary cases being studied include red light warnings, water-on-road warnings, and vulnerable road user (VRU) alerts to drivers.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to enhance transportation safety in Delaware with the latest technology,” said Gene Donaldson, DelDOT Traffic Management Center Operations manager,” in the release. “We see Edge Transportation Exchange as a cost-effective and scalable way to deliver real-time information to drivers, pedestrians, and road users of all kinds. With this technology, we’re eager to continue working to benefit travelers throughout the state.”
VW is exploring use cases such as pedestrian awareness and payment applications for expedited tolling.
“VW considers it critical to be fluent in V2X communication systems. Leveraging our connected-vehicle technology ensures we stay ahead of the curve and offer our customers the latest feature sets for their safety, as well as the safety of others near the vehicle,” said Frank Weith, VW Group of America engineering director for connected infotainment, in the release. “Safety alerts and frictionless payments are two great examples enabled by mobile-network V2X, and VW is excited to be working with Verizon Business to innovate for the connected future of driving.”
Rutgers University CAIT is deploying the exchange at the DataCity Smart Mobility Testing Ground, a collaborative program with Middlesex County and the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
The 2.5-mile area is equipped with self-driving grade sensing, computing, and V2X communication technologies.
The university is using the platform to develop virtualized cellular messaging architectures for intersection safety, congestion mitigation, queue warning, and incident and work zone management.
Rutgers CAIT is also researching school-zone safety applications to deliver near-real-time alerts to pedestrians and incoming vehicles at intersections with heavy school crossings.
“We see Edge Transportation Exchange as a platform with wide applicability to the auto-tech R&D process,” said Peter Jin, Rutgers University associate professor and principal investigator of the DataCity Smart Mobility Testing Ground, in the release. “The solution puts tremendous power in our hands for innovating, testing, and refining solutions with the potential for national scale, which is a thrilling proposition. We’re excited for the opportunity to use Edge Transportation Exchange to help keep road users safe and traffic flowing optimally.”
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