Objective
The main goal is to promote cooperative driving in Europe by deploying car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communication technologies in order to reduce accidents, avoid traffic congestion, create a greener, more efficient and more comfortable driving experience in Europe.
Description
Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication is broadly considered to be a powerful means to improve road safety and to reduce congestion problems. European vehicle manufacturers together with electronics industry and research institutes have already shown the inherent potential of this technology in a number of national and European research projects. FP6 projects such as PReVENT-WILLWARN, SAFESPOT, COOPERS or CVIS have pushed Cooperative Systems quite forward whereas the Supportive Action COMeSafety has provided the grounds for a common European communication architecture for road traffic applications. Nevertheless, further research on cooperative systems was needed to evolve from basic conceptual models towards integrated systems enabling functional testing and validation to take place. DRIVE C2X goes beyond the proof of concept and addresses large-scale field trials under real-world conditions at multiple national test sites across Europe. DRIVE C2X is investigating the impacts of cooperative driving functions in field conditions with the help of ordinary drivers.
In principle, two different application areas feature cooperative driving:
1. C2C where vehicles exchange information on safety-relevant or other useful information
2.C2I where vehicles are exchanging information with backend systems like traffic lights or road operators.
The systems to be tested are built according to the common European architecture for cooperative driving systems defined by COMeSafety, thus guaranteeing the compliance with the upcoming European ITS standards. This approach also ensures that the results of DRIVE C2X have long-term validity on European level, giving system developers as well as decision makers on the industry and authority side the necessary decision confidence. The field trials involving seven test sites all across the Europe proved the safety and efficiency benefits of cooperative systems. For the first time, more than 750 drivers successfully tested eight safety-related functions of cooperative systems all over Europe. DRIVE C2X is also implementing and testing a concept for the integration of a data backend, therefore enabling commercial services based on C2X communication data to private and commercial customers. Such services are expected to become a major revenue source for cooperative driving systems and can be the key for successful implementation of this technology on European roads.
Inputs
Main INPUTS for this project are:
1) An environment where vehicular communication, as well as infrastructure communication, is possible.
2) Cars equipped with all sensors and required system to make vehicular communication possible.
Outputs
Main OUTPUTS of this project are:
Driver perspective:
Different feature of this system which makes driving more safe and comfortable and reduces traffic congestions. Few IMPORTANT safety features of this systems are:
1) Traffic Jam ahead warning: This function aims at avoiding fatal collisions which are often caused by traffic jams on highways. Through vehicular communication, systems are able to warn the driver even before the traffic jam can be noticed.
2) Emergency Electronic brake lights: The driver will be warned before he is able to realize that the vehicle ahead is braking hard, especially if he/she does not see the vehicle directly (vehicles in between).
3) Motorcycle Warning: Vehicles surrounding a motorcycle will constantly communicate through data and analyze the motorcyclist’s maneuvers and warning can be given to the driver where an unexpected behavior of the biker is observed
4)In-vehicle signage: Roadside units mounted on traffic signs and key points along the roadway send messages to approaching vehicles, increasing the likelihood of drivers being aware of potentially dangerous conditions in case a roadside traffic sign is not noticed.
Government perceptive:
1) Different Automotive companies amalgamating together and working for one goal: To promote cooperative driving in Europe.
2) Big amount of Data of vehicles and road user behavior’s data can be collected and can be used for further study or further research in advanced cooperative driving.
3) A huge step towards autonomous driving and making Europe more sufficient, efficient and more sustainable towards mobility.
4) Connecting the selected national test sites into a large European testing platform. This will guarantee the future interoperability of all mobility services and functions that will be deployed all over Europe.
Project Assets
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Test result data of implementation of Drive C2X project in seven different European cities(Netherlands, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Finland).
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Big amount of data can be acquired from different vehicles and roads which can later be used by another project for advancement or for the study of Driver behaviour on ITS driving conditions.
Project Struggles
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Implementation of Drive C2X is very expensive(Infrastructure).
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Secure and intelligent network.
Project Processes
DRIVE C2X will rely on the software components developed in PRE-DRIVE C2X for field operational testing, for the integration of backend services and for system management. The basic system comprises the communication system (radio, communication protocols), facilities, Human-Machine-Interface, applications, and management. DRIVE C2X designed and implemented necessary technology enhancements to fit the advanced test sites and vehicles, based on test site requirements, recent technological developments in the area of cooperative systems, compliance with relevant European ITS standards.
A technology enhancement phase ensures that the DRIVE C2X FOT uses state-of-the-art technology for cooperative systems provides all required functionality and is compliant with current communication standards. DRIVE C2X will also make the needed adaptations to the test sites specific requirements, especially taking legacy components into account.
Additionally, interoperability checks will be performed, in order to verify the correctness of the DRIVE C2X system on a technical level and to ensure interoperability of the system with components from different project partners and test sites.
DRIVE C2X Vehicle
It is equipped with radio hardware based on IEEE 802.11p and UMTS for data exchange with other vehicles or with roadside infrastructure. The protocol stack supports ad-hoc communication based on GeoNetworking, which enables a rapid and efficient message exchange among vehicles using single-hop and multi-hop communication. The system is connected to the vehicle onboard network (CAN bus) to collect data within the vehicles, so that vehicle data can be exchanged between vehicles. Vehicles also support wireless Internet access, for allowing information to be sent directly to the central component.
Roadside infrastructure (DRIVE C2X roadside unit)
It may be variable message signs or traffic lights. It is fully integrated into the ad-hoc communication network, e.g. to send information to the vehicles or to act as relay stations for (multi-hop) communication. Additionally, a roadside infrastructure component may be connected to the Internet, to communicate with the central component.
Central component
It can be for instance a traffic management center controlling roadside infrastructure, a fleet management center, etc. Vehicles or roadside infrastructure may send information to the central component, and the latter may, in turn, send information to vehicles or roadside infrastructure.
Project Status
The project is completed and operational from 1999. It is undergoing expansion for new routes in the city of Capelle aan den Ijssel.
Project Consortium member(s)
Drive C2X is a project which has 34 partners, 13 support partners and a budget of 18.5 million Euro.
1. Automotive OEMs
2. Adam Opel
3. Daimler AG
4. AUDI
5. BMW
6. Renault
7. Centro Ricerche Fiat
8. Ford Forschungszentrum Aachen
9. Honda Research Institute Europe
10.Volvo
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Contact
Matthias Schulze (matthias.m.schulze@daimler.com)
Senior Manager Driver Support
Daimler AG