Global telecoms operator Vodafone’s Safer Transport for Europe Platform (STEP) has been tested on public roads in Berlin, including demonstrations of interoperability with other V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) systems.
The STEP platform is designed to improve safety for European road users by connecting them directly with each other and transport authorities.
The trials took place at an event organised by the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) in Berlin.
At the event, Vodafone says STEP was tested with networked road users in a wide range of scenarios to reflect everyday situations and conditions, from pedestrians or cyclists in the road, to the presence of emergency vehicles that need right of way.
{loadposition stan}
According to Vodafone, STEP has been designed to be compatible with all third-party apps and in-vehicle navigation systems, so road users using any device can benefit.
“Vodafone has been working with transport and technology partners to make our roads safer, and this trial brings us closer to this goal," Marika Auramo, CEO of Vodafone Business, said.
"Our network has a unique role to play in bringing together secure anonymised data in real time to benefit all road users when split-second timing counts.”
As well as Vodafone’s STEP, the technology demonstration in Berlin also used traffic networking platforms from LG Electronics and Commsignia, all connected to Vodafone Germany’s 5G network and the Deutsche Telekom network.
"Real-time information from pedestrians, road workers and cyclists was transmitted to cars via their smartphones with minimal delay," Vodafone said in its announcement.
"This boosts safety in potentially dangerous situations, for example when a cyclist is in the blind spot of a vehicle."
Data was processed on dedicated Multi-Edge Computing Servers that acted as 'mini data centres' located close to the road.
"This gave the data the shortest possible distance to travel, enabling latencies of less than 10 milliseconds between participants," Vodafone said.
"The servers also connected the different digital traffic safety services, allowing them to exchange data with each other."