With thousands of collisions and fatalities on our roads every year, road safety is a serious concern for anybody around the world. By giving driving insights, warnings, road conditions etc, drivers will be better equipped to drive safely.
Connected mobility has the potential to dramatically improve driving safety by helping drivers in making better decisions prevent collisions and improve road safety.
Vehicles connected to each and a centralised database can identify and react to road hazards with the aid of sophisticated sensors, cameras, and communication technologies. They may also offer drivers personalized coaching and training to help them become more skilled and capable of mitigating risks.
The influence of connected mobility on driver safety is probably going to grow as the technology develops and spreads, possibly saving lives and lowering the number of incidents on our roadways.
How Connected Mobility Increases Road Safety?
Connected mobility integrates digital, communication, IoT and related technologies and builds a more linked and effective transportation network. Advanced sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices are planted inside vehicles to gather information from the surroundings, the road infrastructure, and what’s happening inside the cars.
To increase safety and efficiency, these devices let vehicles interact with one another and with centralized systems, which give real-time information about traffic, road conditions, vehicle performance, and other necessary information.
The data gathered from individual vehicles can be pooled together to better manage traffic, and minimize travel times and fuel consumption based on real-time traffic, road conditions, congestion rate and even the weather.
The Computers On Wheels
Right now, each of the vehicles rolling out of the production line irrespective of the type of the vehicle is a bunch of computers on wheels. According to US software company Salesforce, 95% of all new automobiles sold will be connected vehicles, and vehicles will become more and more software-driven by 2030.
Salesforce offers an Automotive Cloud platform to assist auto and transport industry players in managing fleets, providing customized in-car experiences, and streamlining the loan and leasing process for vehicles by leveraging data and artificial intelligence (AI).
As we go further into the topic we will find that, many more tech companies are going in the direction of Salesforce since the automobile manufacturers need to process and evaluate the estimated 25GB of data generated hourly by connected cars and they will certainly need some help to do that.
The connected cars will possess advanced infotainment systems with a range of features that improve passenger comfort and the driving experience. This includes a range of entertainment choices for the backseat passengers to play games, watch videos, or listen to music while travelling.
Passengers can connect their smartphones, tablets, or other devices to the car’s connectivity features such as Bluetooth, WiFi, and USB ports to access online information and services while driving.
EVs Will Lead The Path
Electric vehicles and connected mobility technologies go hand in hand enhancing the functionality and efficiency of EVs. Real-time monitoring of a vehicle’s battery, energy usage, and charging cycle is made possible by connected sensors and data connectivity, which helps drivers plan their charging schedules and routes more effectively.
Also, the data from connected EVs might assist charging station operators in tracking usage trends and scheduling maintenance. In a similar vein, fleet managers may oversee charging plans, keep an eye on EVs in real-time, and plan routes that maximize efficiency and profit.
Now that we have covered some basics on the topic, we will uncover some benefits of connected mobility
CAM Promotes Rapid Response
Emergency response in a difficult situation can be greatly enhanced by connected cars, possibly leading to quicker reaction times and less severe collisions. Transmitting real-time data on crashes on the road as soon as an incident happens is one method to accomplish this.
With instant access to information including geographical coordinates, occupant details, and impact severity, the car’s sensors can identify an impact and quickly alert emergency services, allowing for a speedier and more efficient response.
A connected vehicle can offer a direct channel of communication between emergency services and the vehicle’s occupants, enabling rescuers to assess the situation, offer guidance before arriving on the site and prepare themselves for the rescue according to the severity.
To stop more collisions, the sensors can also identify any dangers on the road, such as ice or debris which is a major concern in the European countries. If any vehicle comes across any of these the information is passed down to other vehicles as well.
CAM Ensures The Safety of Pedestrians
By recognizing and reacting to pedestrians, connected automobiles may be able to lower the number of collisions. These cars are equipped with sensors and cameras that can identify pedestrians on or near the road and warn the driver if there is a possible collision.
Additionally, connected vehicles make it possible for information about pedestrians and other road dangers to be shared via vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication.
Even though these sensors can’t possibly replace human eyes and instincts, they can enhance a driver’s response and increase safety by automatically stopping the car if the driver fails to notice a person crossing the street.
CAM Improves Driver Behaviors & Reaction
Drivers can benefit greatly from connected cars by receiving feedback and can improve their driving patterns by adopting safe driving styles. This is because, connected cars gather information on driving behaviour, including speed, acceleration, and braking habits, and then use that information to give drivers immediate performance feedback and offer improvements.
For instance, when a driver consistently goes over the speed limit, a connected car may identify this and issue an alert or warning to nudge them to slow down. Similarly, the car might offer feedback on how the driver is braking, indicating that the driver should apply softer pressure.
CAM Helps In Reducing Congestion
In several ways, the concept of connected mobility can also enhance traffic safety on the road. Through connected mobility technology, real-time traffic information is available to drivers, enabling them to steer clear of traffic jams and associated dangers.
Intelligent routing by analyzing real-time traffic data can help suggest alternative routes that are less congested and safer, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall traffic flow. Advanced collision avoidance systems can be used to detect and prevent accidents.
Automated braking and lane-changing systems can reduce the risk of accidents caused by braking suddenly or changing lanes suddenly in heavy traffic. Also, when predictive maintenance is done based on real-time vehicle data, it can assist in preventing breakdowns and associated costs by predicting when a vehicle may need repair or servicing.
Connected Mobility Can Boost The Economy
The economic boost a country can gain from connected mobility is large. To give an example, the SMMT(Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) estimates that the UK might profit economically by up to £66 billion if connected mobility becomes widely adopted at least by 2040.
The true economic benefit from enhanced commercial and business outcomes for CAM (Connected and automated mobility) users, increased output from CAM vehicle and technology producers, and growth in associated industries including telecom, digital services, insurance, retail, and media would account for little over £34 billion.
The remaining £32 billion would benefit consumers through more economical travel, which might boost economic output, among other positive effects. Based on forecasts, the economic impact is estimated to be between £29 billion and £42 billion, with an annual range of £55 billion to £77 billion.
According to the SMMT, the implementation of CAM may bring 342,000 employment to the UK economy by 2040. Of the 342000 newly created jobs, 12,250 would be other automotive manufacturing-related positions.
These numbers also suggest large spillover effects because of increased worker mobility and productivity gains. As the new markets and operations that CAM has generated, related industries like communication, retail, electronics, mechatronics etc will also create more job opportunities.
This will be true for all the economies in the world since around the globe, connected mobility is gaining momentum.
Conclusion
Autonomous and connected car technology has the potential to revolutionize transportation networks.CAM Adds multiple layers of safety and comfort for the passengers. The fleet owners can optimize their routing to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
The development in the CAM industry will impact industrial processes and labour productivity indirectly boosting the country’s economy.
