Prioritize Use of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) As Wireless Communication Option for C-V2X Systems to Address Latency Concerns.
Field Tests Conducted in Chattanooga, Tennessee Under Various Scenarios for Different Communication Technologies Produced Lessons Learned in Better Protecting Vulnerable Road Users with Real Time Alerts.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Feasibility of Real-Time Infrastructure-Driven Intervention for Improving Pedestrian Safety
Summary Information
Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) like pedestrians and cyclists often receive only passive protection due to a lack of real-time interaction between existing sensing systems and non-connected road users. This study aimed to improve VRU safety by utilizing Chattanooga, Tennessee's infrastructure to explore wireless communication technologies such as Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) and Connected Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X). Researchers implemented Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technologies on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus and evaluated them at two intersections within the Chattanooga Smart City testbed. Data collection for Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) at each intersection assessed latency and reliability in an urban area.
- Prioritize using Long Term Evolution (LTE) over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as wireless communication option for C-V2X systems to address latency concerns. This study found that LTE had 39.4 to 74.7 percent lower latency than BLE for vulnerable road users.
- Evaluate both LTE and 5G cellular-based implementations as well as PC5-based direct communication in various real-world locations. This includes testing across a range of geographical areas, weather conditions, and obstacle densities to ensure comprehensive assessment and reliable performance.
- Develop applications for both VRUs and vehicles to enable bidirectional communication and information exchange through C-V2X connectivity. The VRU application will provide collision warnings and situational awareness to pedestrians and cyclists using data from nearby connected vehicles and infrastructure. Conversely, a vehicle application will receive VRU location alerts to enhance driver awareness and safety. Rigorous real-world testing across various locations and use cases is essential to validate performance and optimize these applications for maximum transportation safety improvements.
