Schematic representation of interactions within the hybrid communication architecture. Click to enlarge.

Only if we manage to combine various communication systems such as wireless LAN, mobile data networks and broadcasting, we will be able to use information about traffic conditions in a better and smarter way. Our goal has been extending different communication systems for the targeted distribution of information and making them shareable. Accordingly, we can create the conditions for a significant improvement in traffic flow and enhance road safety.

—Horst Wieker, CONVERGE project coordinator and head of the transport telematics research group at the University of Applied Sciences of the Saarland

Through its research, CONVERGE has created a basis for the organization and operation of a coordinated, open, expandable and decentralized V2X system network. This includes the communication of vehicles with other vehicles, with service providers or with components of the transport infrastructure such as ITS Roadside Stations.

Architecture overview. Click to enlarge.

One of many possible application scenarios is the “wrong-way driver notification”: The cooperative road infrastructure identifies a wrong-way driver; within a split second, the driver and endangered road users within the immediate area receive a warning on their Smartphone or on the navigation screen, for example.

Following the example of the Internet, CONVERGE strives to create an architecture which allows any number of content and service providers to interact in a protected network and to disseminate information as needed: Only information which is relevant due to a road user’s current geographical position, his/her planned route or general information should reach the road user—regardless of the access technology that he/she uses.

Horst Wieker stressed that it is not just about indicating danger:

If traffic reports are intelligently networked with the planned route of a truck and the current availability of truck parking areas, freight transport can be routed more efficiently. This avoids delays at loading ramps and supports the driver compliance with statutory rest periods.

In preparation of nationally and internationally recognised standards for the V2X architecture, CONVERGE has involved numerous key players in the research. These include service providers, traffic control centres, road infrastructure and mobile operators, automotive manufacturers and suppliers, IT service providers, as well as universities and research institutes.

The system strived after by CONVERGE will create the technical conditions which will allow content and service providers to offer their services to road users via a decentralized V2X architecture with only minimum technical input. As with the Internet, the service provider selects the composite offers which are of importance to their customers. For this purpose CONVERGE defines methods for automated event manage­ment and a directory service based on “Yellow Pages” for institutional and transnational V2X applications.

To meet the requirements for data protection, CONVERGE has developed an integrated IT security concept which protects the data of users (e.g. movement data) and also ensures high quality internal and external services. Information will only be exchanged on the V2X architecture by authorised service providers. The system screens messages to make sure only information from trustworthy participants are processed.

At the presentation of the results Horst Wieker underlined the fact that the publicly funded research project has achieved its objectives.

Involved in the CONVERGE research project are: Automotive manufacturers: Adam Opel AG, BMW Group, Volkswagen AG; Suppliers: PTV Group, Robert Bosch GmbH; Mobile Solutions: Ericsson GmbH, Vodafone GmbH; Public facilities: Hessen Mobil – Straßen- und Verkehrsmanagement (road and traffic management); Research: Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (BASt), Fraunhofer-Institut AISEC, Fraunhofer-Institut FOKUS, Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes (htw saar). Associated Partners are: Bundes­netzagentur (BNetzA) and the city of Frankfurt am Main (Straßenverkehrsamt).