Centre for Technology Infusion

Centre Activities

Intelligent Transport System to Improve Safety

The emergence of the Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) standard has paved the way for the implementation of a wireless ad-hoc network for vehicles, which can be used for communications between vehicles (vehicle-to-vehicle or V2V) and between vehicles and roadside equipments (vehicle-to-infrastructure or V2I). This will facilitate the development of an intelligent transport network with the potential to improve both the safety and efficiency of road and rail transport systems. Information about locations of traffic crashes and badly congested bottlenecks can also be provided, with additional benefits in terms of reduced vehicle emissions and improved traffic flows. This project proposes the implementation of such an intelligent transport system based on new DSRC technology, integrated with existing technologies, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, GSM, etc.

The overall aim of the project is to develop, implement and trial (for potential rollout) a Dedicated Short Range Communication based Intelligent Transport System platform to improve safety at level crossings. The project aims to reduce and potentially eliminate rail-road crossing accidents by establishing a DSRC based ITS solution. The specific aims within the scope of the project are:

• Phase 1: To develop an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) simulation platform for rail-road crossings based on 5.9GHz DSRC technology
• Phase 2: To develop an ITS demonstrator system and conduct laboratory based tests
• Phase 3: To carry-out field trials at level crossing interfaces

This project will result in development of a deployment ready safety solution for level crossings. It will not only result in immediate safety outcomes in terms of collision avoidance, it will also help in long term behaviour change of drivers and result in an overall improvement in safety consciousness on Australian roads.

This project will engage a number of current AutoCRC universities and industry partners and will also bring new industry and Government partners to participate in the projects. The members of the current research team have a strong history of national and international engagement and collaboration on R&D projects of significant importance. The current partners for this project include:

• La Trobe University;
• AutoCRC;
• Department of Transport (DoT), Victoria;
• Queensland University of Technology; and
• Other collaborating partners

Download brochure

• Intelligent Transport System to Improve Safety (pdf 395kb)

Intelligent Transport System Project Launch

• News Story - Saving lives at rail crossings
• News Story and Demonstration Videos