Victorian roads will soon receive cutting-edge connected vehicle technology as part of the VicRoads’ Connected and Automated Vehicle Trial Grants Program.
The Australian-first project awarded a $3.5 million grant to Lexus Australia and Telstra to test technology connected directed to vehicles using a specialised version of Telstra’s 4G mobile network.
Vehicles will be able to connect to one another, traffic management centres with cloud servers and access VicRoads real-time data using “Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)” technology.
Cellular V2X is a new technology with a customised version of 4G for connected vehicles rather than mobile phones.
This technology will test driver warning systems of incoming hazards like pedestrians and upcoming intersections with safety features such as ‘Red-light Violator Warnings’ and ‘Pedestrian Alert Right-Turn Assist’.
The trial will also test the specialised vehicles utilising VicRoads real-time data including static and variable speed limits and traffic lights.
The technology has already been verified in a controlled track environment, but these on-road tests on metropolitan and regional roads will help shape how technology could be fitted to vehicles in the future.
The Connected and Automated Vehicle Trial Grants Program is managed by VicRoads and funded by the TAC through the Towards Zero Action Plan, which supports a range of initiatives to benefit road safety on roads across Victoria.
