V2I communication is a concept which allows vehicles to share information with the components that are supporting the highway system of the country. The components vehicles communicate with will include RFID readers and cameras, Lane markers, signage, and parking meters, streetlights, traffic lights. The communication between vehicles to infrastructure is typically wireless and bidirectional data from the infrastructure components are delivered to the vehicle the vehicle over an ad hoc network. It is similar to vehicle to vehicle communication where the vehicle uses frequencies of DSRC to transfer data.
This is also known as ITS [intelligent transport system] and V2I sensors capture data from the infrastructure to provide travelers with real-time advisories matters related to road conditions, traffic congestion, accidents, parking availability, and construction zones. Similarly, traffic management supervision systems can use the infrastructure and vehicle data for setting variable speed limits and adjusting traffic signal phase and timing to increase fuel economy and traffic flow. The software, firmware, and hardware that allows communication between vehicles and infrastructure on the roads is an important part of all initiatives for driverless cars.
Back in January 2017, the US Department of Transportation announced federal Highway administration V2I guidance looking forward to improving safety and mobility by accelerating the deployment of V2I communication systems. The guidance aims to help state and local governments to prepare to accommodate vehicle infrastructure initiatives as well as manage the data that supports it. Funding is a major cause of concern and therefore a shift is likely from public funding through taxes on fuel and toll roads to build a public-private partnership including automobile manufacturers that are expected to benefit from the access to the immense amount of data created by V2I communication.
The automotive industry is accustomed to new data and competitive forces placing high pressure on them to figure out how data can be used. However, it has become imperative for manufacturers to analyze data productively in real-time and leverage it meaningfully to drive value. Manufacturers of vehicles are finding themselves trapped in a conundrum of never-ending disruption and lagging innovation. They generally operate on five-year cycles of innovation which seems similar to a lifetime in the world of networked technology and services. Even as the pace of technological innovation has barreled ahead manufacturers are struggling to stay competitive currently. They are facing a constant battle with the speed of innovation and the lack of ability on their part to push out software updates with new features driven by automobile giants for most auto OEMs.
V2I communication allows vehicles to communicate with infrastructure and the technology is already available. Thousands of roadside units [RSU’s] equipped with vehicle to everything chipsets are spread across Europe, US, and Asia. 16 EU member states and 20 states in the US already have active infrastructure deployment projects. The governing authorities plan to invest billions of dollars in smart infrastructure capable of communicating with vehicles via V2X technology.
V2I communication is beneficial for autonomous as well as manned vehicles. Drivers in manned vehicles receive alerts about road conditions, roadside construction, weather alerts, the state of upcoming traffic lights and much more. Projects that have equipped roadside units with vehicle to everything technology and cameras allow drivers to receive safety messages about dangers at intersections ahead of time. For autonomous vehicles, V2I communication provides both mobility and safety benefits by enabling the infrastructure to point out hazards which lay ahead along with optimizing the flow of traffic. Vehicle infrastructure in place in terms simply means infrastructure and vehicles are both equipped with technology which helps them to communicate with each other to make driving easier and safer.
