Intelligent vehicle trial launched in Germany

Date: 6/8/2012

A four-year trial into intelligent vehicles has been launched in Frankfurt in Germany in order to test the potential for the technology.

The project named (simTD) Safe Intelligent Mobility – Testfield Germany is aimed at improving road safety and mobility through the use of intelligent communication systems.

It is a collaboration of a number of high profile names in the vehicle industry including Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, Opel, Volkswagen, Bosch, Continental, Deutsche Telekom.

They will also be joined by representatives of regional infrastructure operators and German research institutions.

Paul Mascarenas, Chief Technical Officer at Ford Motor, said "Car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communications represent the next major advancements in vehicle safety."

The trial will consist of a fleet of 120 cars equipped with the most up-to-date car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communication tools, being tested in real life situations.

It is hoped that intelligent vehicles will remove human error from the roads and therefore make them safer.

The features to be tested include electronic brake lights which deliver a message from a lead car to one behind that braking has occurred.

This means that the car following will know that the car has been forced to brake, even if it is out of sight, like round a bend for example.

Public traffic information will be put to good use to give prior warning on the state of roads and congestion, so that it can be avoided.

Another aspect of intelligent vehicle technology to be tested is obstacle warning systems, which allow cars to communicate where and what types of hazards are present on the roads.

The final measure is known as traffic sign assistant, which informs the driver of temporary and permanent regulations on the road ahead.

This is done through continuous contact with traffic management centres equipped with all the latest information.

Christian Weiss, Project Manager, said: "As drivers get better information, they will be able to adjust their driving mode earlier. Accidents and traffic jams will be avoided."

Posted by Sarah Bailey

Transport Research News and Vehicle Safety News