V2X communication technology for prioritization of Public Transportation Vehicles
In January 2022, ZERO-SUM, LTD. and Zero-Sum ITS Solutions INDIA Private Ltd., with the support from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication, JAPAN and with approval from Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd, a special purpose vehicle of the Amdavad Municipal Corporation in INDIA, conducted a demonstration experiment showcasing a public transportation vehicle priority system. The system functions over a UHF band running on Japanese originated, internationally standardized V2X communication technology.
This experiment demonstrated the use of a public transportation vehicle priority system in which a public transport vehicle such as a bus running on the Bus Rapid Transport System corridor communicates with traffic signals at the intersections through UHF band using V2X communication technology based on international standards that allows the bus to have priority passage at the intersections. This is the first demonstration of its kind in INDIA for a public vehicle on a public road such as BRTS corridor. The BRTS corridor in Ahmedabad by Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd is rated as one of the best Mass Rapid Transport System in INDIA and served as an ideal ground for the conduction of such an experiment
Goal of the experiment
This demonstration experiment that uses the application of UHF band V2X communication technology, aims at enabling the higher adoption of public transport by reducing the stop time of the buses at signal intersections and improving their travel time and on-time performance. This will encourage the general public to adopt BRTS transportation, thereby reducing emissions and helping decongest the roads from traffic.
This technology prompts traffic signals installed enroute the path of buses on the BRTS corridor to identify the approach of the buses. Upon the detection of an approaching bus, the traffic signal will identify the speed and distance of the approaching bus and thereafter map the traffic signal cycle to turn green by the time the bus reaches the intersection, thereby enabling the bus to get signal free passage at the intersections safely and reduce the travel time to its destination. The demonstration used UHF band frequency for the communication of information, as UHF allows for real time communication that has high penetrability through buildings and natural obstructions and has less interference from other devices.
Outline of experiment
Several V2X communication devices that function on the UHF band of 598-608 MHz were installed on buses that run on the BRTS corridor and at a busy traffic intersection on the BRTS corridor in Ahmedabad. When a bus that is equipped with a V2X communication device approaches the traffic intersection at which a V2X communication device is installed, the devices identify each other at over 400 meters. The V2X devices communicate with each other and the information that the bus is approaching the intersection along with parameters such as speed and position is immediately transmitted to the signaling system, enabling the system to modify and optimize the running signal cycle to turn green by the time the bus approaches within 100 to 150 meters of the intersection. This allows the priority passage of the bus over other modes of transportation at the intersection, enabling a reduction in travel time of the bus. Upon the bus, crossing the signal intersection, the system identifies the same and thereafter turns switches off the green corridor system for the BRTS lane, thereby ensuring a return to normal signal cycle for the non BRTS lanes. This system has helped demonstrate that a priority system for public transportation vehicles on public roads can be implemented.
Location of experiment
The experiment was conducted at the Panjrapool Traffic intersection on the BRTS corridor in the city of Ahmedabad which is the largest city in the western state of Gujarat in INDIA.
Results of the experiment
Upon completion of the demonstration, it was found that the emergency vehicle priority system that uses V2X communication technology running on the UHF band 598-608 MHz that follow international standards set forth by ITU-R M.2084-1 and based on Japanese standard message set of ITS Connect TD-001, is very stable, as the communication between the V2X devices was confirmed. Furthermore, it was also observed that through the integration of the V2X system with the signaling system, the traffic signal in the direction of the approaching bus were successfully able to identify the bus and turn the traffic signal to green for the BRTS corridor, to provide priority passage to the bus at the intersection. Post the system implementation, it resulted in a reduction of 86.2% from the average waiting time of 33.1 seconds of the bus at the intersection without the system. The signal cycle was successfully optimized to allow a safe change of signal that not only provides priority passage to the BRTS corridor but also optimized the non BRTS lanes when there was no bus approaching the intersection. This allowed non-BRTS lanes to receive additional green cycle time which would have otherwise been wasted through allocation to the BRTS lane even when there was no bus passing through the intersection. The experiment helped demonstrate that the system does not have any adverse effect on non BRTS lanes or other vehicles on the road and infact when implemented over a wider area, will help in reducing the waiting time for non BRTS lanes as well. The UHF band used in the demonstration experiment was acquired under an experimental license from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, INDIA.
Future steps
Upon completion of the trial period of the experiment, Zero-Sum will have a public demonstration of the system to Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd and Amdavad Municipal Corporation. From the initial results gathered from the experiment, Mr. Vishal Khanama, (General Manager, Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd) said, “The initial results seen from the experiment seems very promising and we are proud to be associated with Zero-Sum to conduct such a trial for the first time in the country. Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd is not just looking at improving the on-time performance of its buses but we aim at creating customer delight and this is one such initiative that we believe can improve the travel experience of the commuters and improve the overall quality of life for the citizens of Ahmedabad. We are impressed that the system allows for both priority of BRTS buses and at the same time does not cause any interruption for general traffic. We will study the results in detail and review the feasibility of expanding the V2X system across a wider area of the BRTS corridor in Ahmedabad.”
Mr. Kikuchi Chikara (President Zero-Sum Group) informed, “Last year, we had successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of the V2X system in creating automated green corridors for emergency vehicles. The results of the experiment conducted this year on the BRTS corridor in Ahmedabad also seem very encouraging. We will shortly look at creating a standardized solution that can be implemented by bus corporations across the country on their BRTS corridors and by municipalities for providing priority passage for their emergency vehicles”.
Role of organizations in this experiment
ZERO-SUM, LTD.
ZERO-SUM introduced and operates a traffic congestion mitigation system in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat, INDIA. ZERO-SUM is in charge of the experiment component to be undertaken in INDIA for the project titled “Research for the oversea expansion of ITS technologies in JAPAN” funded by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Telecommunications, JAPAN“. Zero-Sum ITS Solutions INDIA Private Limited, a subsidiary of ZERO-SUM, LTD. is responsible for coordination with Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd, Amdavad Municipal Corporation, local traffic police, Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, INDIA and is also responsible for the preparation of the field experiment in Ahmedabad city, INDIA.
For further information visit: https://www.zero-sum.co.jp
