Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS)

Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) allow seamless and cooperative data exchange through wireless technologies to deliver safer, more efficient, environmentally friendly transport. The core C-ITS use case examined here is green priority at traffic signals for buses in Sunderland, with the objective of providing more reliable journey times and a better overall passenger experience.

Figure 1 – A183 intelligent transport route where devices will test Green Light Prioritisation 

To implement such a system, Tyne and Wear’s Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) has procured on board devices from R2P. These will be fitted to express and local buses on selected routes and will communicate with the UTMC using the existing 5G network to enable priority at traffic signals at key intersections.

Figure 2 – Tyne & Wear UTMC

Device fitting will take place from October 2024 with the system running live in December.

Evaluation will feature quantitative and qualitative research into passenger and operator opinions (before and after) and examination of punctuality and reliability, comparing baseline data without devices against data with the devices in use.

A second use case is a feasibility study of the potential for green priority in a logistics application, running from Nissan UK to the Port of Tyne. The main benefit expected here would be environmental and running cost related as the green priority could reduce braking events and stop-start activity at traffic signals, providing a smoother, less polluting trip.

Figure 3 – R2P onboard units to be fitted to 20 Stagecoach buses and the SAMS autonomous shuttle