UK CITE Plans Live Connected/Autonomous Vehicle Test in 2017

Smart Highways

Plans call for the UK CITE project to run a live test of connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technologies on 40 miles of British roads next year, according to Siemens, one of the project partners.

“Siemens is actively engaged in a number of Vehicle-to-Infrastructure research projects worldwide, establishing communication links between traffic infrastructure and motorists to help influence the way they drive,” said Gordon Wakeford, chief of Siemens’ UK mobility division.

The CAV technology will use DSRC and LTE communications systems on 40 miles of roads in Coventry and Warwickshire.

The UK CITE project is jointly led by Visteon Engineering Services and Jaguar Land Rover and includes Coventry City Council, Coventry University, Highways England, HORIBA MIRA, Huawei Technologies (UK), Siemens, Vodafone Group Services and WMG at University of Warwick.

The test received £7.1 million ($10.3 million) in funding from the United Kingdom’s £100 million ($145 million) Intelligent Mobility Fund.

Siemens will develop, supply and install roadside units which will communicate with the vehicles and the traffic infrastructure. Siemens Stratos hosted traffic management system will be used as the back office for all communications to and from the vehicles.

The test goal is to establish how technology can improve journeys, reduce traffic congestion and provide in-vehicle entertainment and safety services through better connectivity.

The first phase of the project has begun with the preparation of infrastructure on routes along the M40, M42, A46, and A45 highways, along with an urban route in Coventry.

Also in the works is a vehicle, systems, and gantry App, designed to ensure that variable roadside messages appear in-vehicle, either on the vehicle display or smartphone.

Pre-test trials will take place on the City Circuit operated by engineering firm Horiba Mira. Plans call for the live trials to start in 2017.

UK CITE stands for Connected Intelligent Transportation Environment.

Graphic from Horiba Mira.