Nissan to test ITS communication

is beginning the next test phase of its intelligent transportation system (ITS) project, using vehicle-to-infrastructure synchronised communication between vehicles and traffic lights.

Nissan will install an advanced traffic signal infrastructure at its Nissan Technical Centre to collect real-world vehicle data from several hundred employee cars participating in the project.

The advanced traffic system aims to help reduce accidents as well as ease traffic congestion, specifically at traffic light intersections, leading to improved on-the-road fuel consumption. Nissan has been conducting various experiments under its ITS Project Since October 2006 to help reduce accidents and ease traffic congestion.

The test phase, to be conducted on Nissan’s premises, is representative of real-world traffic conditions, where data from vehicles can be collected and analysed in a closely-monitored environment. The vehicle data input and corresponding traffic signal output from the intersections is computed by an advanced traffic light system specifically installed for the test programme.

Two intersecting main roads, one running east-west for two kilometres and the other running north-south for one kilometre, each with multiple intersections and pedestrian crossings, provide the basic parameters for the ITS experiment. Nissan has installed standard traffic lights and roadside optical beacons along these test roads. Traffic data can be collected from the employee cars and shuttle buses without any on-board vehicle modification. However, for specific data to support the development of the navigation programme under testing, several hundred employee cars will be equipped with the Vehicle Information and Communications System units.

The system under test comprises traffic signals which place priority on crossing pedestrians, traffic signal alerts on board vehicles, and optimised timing intervals on red traffic signals and right turn queues to reduce congestion.