New vehicles are increasingly equipped with a cellular modem that enables 4G/5G communications with the internet and supports software updates and connected services from the brands. Connected vehicles are generally accompanied by a mobile application that connects with the vehicles and provides remote vehicle functionalities. Connected vehicles have the potential to redefine the vehicle users’ experience and their relationship with the brands. In respect of privacy and security requirements as well as consumers’ preferences, they also provide a new source of vehicle-generated data that can help pre-empt vehicle maintenance needs and better understand road usage and road conditions.
Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) aim to use short-range communication channels based on Wi-Fi or 5G technology for real-time information sharing between vehicles (V2V) and roadside infrastructure (V2I) as well as to other modes of transport including pedestrian and cyclists (V2X). Through use cases as those tested by Queensland DTMR’s as part of its Cooperative and Automated Vehicle Initiative CAVI (e.g. emergency electronic braking light warning, slow or stopped vehicle warning, advanced red-light warning, road works warning, or back of queue warning), C-ITS has the potential to significantly improve road safety and traffic efficiency. In essence, C-ITS increases the driver’s awareness and allow to see beyond direct line of sight.
C-ITS also make use of long-range communication channels using mobile networks for services that have less demanding latency (e.g. for traffic information services provided to vehicles by the road agencies).
Connected vehicle and C-ITS services are complementary but may use different and distinct technology solutions depending on the standards that are implemented. On C-ITS deployments, Australia aims to align with European directions with state and territory road agencies increasingly collaborating to ensure national harmonisation.
Automated vehicles generally refer to levels 3 and above of the SAE J3016 standard where an Automated Driving System (ADS) is responsible for performing the driving task (steering, acceleration & deceleration and object & event detection and response) under specific operating conditions. Automated vehicles require specific exemption to be tried or operated in Australia with the public sector reviewing the existing state and territory roads acts and developing new regulations.
Combined, these technologies are likely to redefine personal mobility and give rise to new business and vehicle ownership models over time.
FCAI supports the definition and development of new vehicle technologies for connected, cooperative and automated transport with particular focus on national and international harmonisation, safety and efficiency benefits these technologies can deliver, impacts on OEMs and end consumers in terms of capabilities and costs.
On these various topics, FCAI engages with all relevant bodies including:
- Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) who regulate vehicle standards and coordinate national consistency through its national road transport technology strategy.
- National Transport Commission (NTC) who lead the national automated vehicle reform program for an end-to-end regulatory system that supports the safe, commercial deployment of automated vehicles at all levels of automation.
- State and territory road authorities (and their national association Austroads) who set the infrastructure standards and implement data sharing and roadside infrastructure for vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communications.
- Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) who manage the spectrum allocation and licensing for radiofrequency transmitters/receivers for C-ITS.