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| Opel Insignia Sports Tourer - simTD test vehicle |
The results of one of the world’s largest field tests to enhance
traffic safety and efficiency by using vehicle communication (Car-to-X)
have now been presented in Frankfurt. In the simTD project
(Safe Intelligent Mobility – Field Test Germany), Opel joined forces
with 17 consortium partners to test the functionality, everyday
suitability and efficacy of Car-to-X communication for the first time in
real-life conditions. The vehicles in the test were electronically
linked to each other and with the infrastructure. This enabled the
exchange of information about, for example, weather and road conditions
between vehicles, as well as between vehicles and the traffic
infrastructure and environment.
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| Opel Insignia Sports Tourer with integrated Car-to-X technology |
Describing the results of the project, Dr. Burkhard Milke, Opel
Director Electric/Electronic Engineering, said: “In the field test, led
by Opel in liaison with our partners, we were able to prove that traffic
behavior can be positively influenced by the simTD
functions. Traffic safety and efficiency were measurably increased.
After a comprehensive survey of the more than 300 test drivers, it is
also clear that the added value of Car-to-X technology for safe, relaxed
and efficient driving was confirmed. As a result, wide market
acceptance of the technology is expected.”
Since 2009, research has been conducted on the conditions necessary
for a sustainable increase in traffic efficiency and safety under the
project name “Safe and Intelligent Mobility – Field Test Germany” (simTD).
The test fleet from all manufacturers, launched in 2012, comprised 120
vehicles and three motorcycles, which were all equipped with the same
simTD technology for scientific comparability. With up to
120,000 test kilometers per week, over 1,650,000 kilometers were covered
in more than 41,000 hours of driving during the field test. In
addition, driving and traffic simulation tests were also conducted and
compared to the real-life results.
Among many other functions, Opel tested a new weather warning feature
during the project. “Weather warnings and road condition reports are
excellent examples of the connection between Car-to-X communication and
the HMI (Human Machine Interface),” says Dr Milke. “They are at the top
of drivers’ wish list for future communication systems. With the new
generation of infotainment systems now offered in the Opel ADAM and to
be presented at the IAA in the new Opel flagship Insignia, the technological
foundation has been laid for stronger in-car connectivity with Car-to-X
communication. But the concentrated establishment of a corresponding
road and traffic infrastructure will be decisive for the commercial
deployment of this technology. Opel will continue to play a large role
in this.”
The road weather stations located in the field test vicinity, which already provide detailed information – used, for example, by road gritting trucks – communicate with existing vehicle sensors such as the rain sensor to issue warnings on adverse weather conditions. The critical parameters monitored were dew points, road surface temperatures, fog conditions and rainfall. The Human-Machine-Interface, used by all partners in the field test, was developed by DFKI, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence.
Downloads: simTD technology leaflet (ENG)
The road weather stations located in the field test vicinity, which already provide detailed information – used, for example, by road gritting trucks – communicate with existing vehicle sensors such as the rain sensor to issue warnings on adverse weather conditions. The critical parameters monitored were dew points, road surface temperatures, fog conditions and rainfall. The Human-Machine-Interface, used by all partners in the field test, was developed by DFKI, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence.
Downloads: simTD technology leaflet (ENG)
