V2X-Enabled Intersection: Priority and Preemption

It’s important to distinguish V2X from vehicle telematics. While both technologies create a stream of data from vehicles, telematics logs operational information about a single vehicle in isolation, and often with latency that renders this data incapable of supporting real-time safety and mobility outcomes. Conversely, V2X turns vehicles into real-time probes through bidirectional, low-latency communication. In a V2X environment, each vehicle communicates with infrastructure via roadside units (RSU), other vehicles via onboard units (OBU), Transportation agency control centers and more. 

Traditionally, features like Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) or Transit Signal Priority (TSP) have been deployed using a variety of analogue technologies, like infrared emitters, which allow certain vehicles to request prioritization at equipped traffic signals. V2X-based CIPT improves prioritization functionality in three key ways:

1. V2X is based on national, open data and communications technology standards, and is well suited to ad-hoc deployments. Leveraging standards-based technology helps to create a consistent and scalable user experience, particularly between different jurisdictions or on projects with multiple stakeholders. Immediate benefits of V2X-equipped intersections can be achieved by outfitting just a few vehicles and locations at a time, and will easily scale with future deployment, adoption and investment. 
    
2. V2X systems provide extremely low latency hardware necessary for safety critical applications and can collect this low latency data through cloud-SaaS management and data analytics platforms for modern, digitally native or cloud-first programs. 
    
3. The hardware components of V2X-based CIPT are fully extensible, meaning you can deploy EVP today, and later expand to other applications without requiring any new equipment on roadways. By deploying V2X for current use cases, a transportation agency is developing a connected vehicle ecosystem that can support a wide range of safety and mobility applications in the future.
    

The V2X ecosystem enables a range of advanced capabilities. Because V2X is based on standardized, software-defined capabilities, specific applications are driven by code which can be readily updated to support both changing regulatory guidelines and evolving technology. This protects V2X system investments from obsolescence and ensures a flexible and upgradable transportation technology platform. Additionally, many new use cases are made possible through CIPT such as accommodation for advanced roadway geometries, unique signal timing needs, or important safety initiatives such as Vision Zero programs.

The following example applications highlight the wide range of features and services possible via V2X CIPT. These use cases can be implemented individually, or several can be combined, all utilizing the same underlying, cost-effective hardware. 

• Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP)
  • EVP systems allow equipped and authorized first responder vehicles (may include Fire, Ambulance, Police, and other fleets depending on agency policy) to request near-immediate green lights for the appropriate lanes of approach at outfitted traffic signals. Switching of the lights is managed by existing traffic signal controllers and all safety protocols are fully respected such as yellow and red transition time or pedestrian clearance. Signal preemption can be configured to trigger for all phases of an approach or only select phases indicated by the approaching vehicle. These options are enabled by intersection geometry settings (MAP files) and corresponding vehicle GPS location, time to arrival, and other variables.
     
• Transit Signal Priority (TSP)
  • TSP enables equipped transit vehicles to request various forms of prioritization at outfitted traffic signals. Priority can include green extension, accelerated red, or other forms of priority (within safety parameters) for transit vehicles and can be triggered by programmable conditions such as occupancy rates, time behind schedule, or congestion conditions among other options.
     
• Fleet Priority or Preemption
  • Priority or preemption can be enabled for equipped agency fleets such as safety critical snowplows or priority vehicles like DOT maintenance trucks. Configuration is completely customizable to accommodate a wide range of applications and use cases depending on local needs or policy priorities. 
     
• Freight Signal Priority (FSP)
  • FSP allows transportation agencies to work with private freight providers (for example, at ports or near logistics hubs) to provide prioritization of heavy freight vehicles at relevant traffic signals. This application can be customized to provide priority at certain times of day, or only under certain traffic conditions, and of course only for equipped and authorized vehicles at specified intersections. In some cases, freight providers contribute to infrastructure or operating costs either directly or through subscription programs. Freight priority can dramatically reduce vehicle emissions (from idling and vehicle startup), roadway wear (from vehicle stopping) and can improve freight movement which supports economic development in a region. 
• Vulnerable Road Users
  • CIPT provides the foundation for future protections for Vulnerable Road Users (VRU) such as pedestrians, cyclists, or other micro mobility modes in two ways. 1) through signal prioritization for these modes, and 2) through vehicle alerts for equipped drivers in the near vicinity.
     

If your municipality is considering connected roadway or intersection solutions, it’s important to consider how V2X-based solutions for many traditional use cases can futureproof your investments. National standards based V2X communications are now widely available, in use, and affordable thanks to Panasonic’s deep partnerships with DOTs and vehicle OEMs. The Cirrus by Panasonic platform can efficiently scale to achieve a wide variety of use cases.  New features and use cases can then be implemented over time, without the need replace existing V2X devices in the future.

Federal funding for V2X programs is currently available through initiatives such as Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Program (ATCMTD) grants along with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The $1 billion in annual awards from RAISE, for instance, provides agencies with unique opportunities for roadway investment as well as pathways to fruitful public-private partnerships. Panasonic’s SaaS model of development leverages our many DOT partnerships, sharing core development costs across deployments to amplify partner investments. 

The reduced fatalities, hours of gridlock avoided, tons of emissions prevented, and equity produced can significantly enhance daily life for millions of people. That’s the true potential of technology, real progress without compromise. And that technology is turnkey V2X solutions, such as Cirrus by Panasonic, Connected Intersection suite of applications available today.