Communication advances Chapter | 2 17- In a similar hazard-ahead scenario the C-V2X can extend the visibility of
a vehicle around blind corners, through heavy fog or a high lorry that hides
the driver’s horizon. V2V communication can be used to share the camera or
other sensor feeds between neighboring vehicles. - In the electronic toll-payment scenario, the V2I interaction can be used to
resolve toll payment as the vehicle is approaching the tolls, thus removing
the need to stop or even to slow down. This is expected to reduce toll traffic
and save a lot of fuel for vehicles that frequently use roads with tolls.
As a summary of the above scenarios, we can say that the combined use of
sensors, actuators, and the C-V2X communication under predefined scenarios can
boost the popularity of autonomous vehicle systems and increase people’s trust in
them, thus leading to a wider acceptance of autonomous and self-driving vehicles.
As a case study of C-V2X, the main concept of several recent research
attempts lies in the provision of quantifiable evidence, frameworks, and tools to
enable the exploitation of 5G communication technologies for the provision of
cooperative, connected-automated mobility (CCAM) solutions for vehicles of
SAE Level 3 and beyond, offering low-latency, high-reliability, and minimum
road-infrastructure costs. This concept has arisen from several findings within
the international research literature and industry, which have revealed that with
the increasing SAE automation levels in vehicles, the need for connectivity and
coordination becomes a fundamental prerequisite, for ensuring fail-operational
perception and control, which is indeed necessary for the provision of advanced
CCAM services and applications. So far, attempts to bring the above into reality
have either been inefficient in terms of technological parameters (e.g., increased
latency, reduced reliability, and dependability) or in terms of high-infrastructure
costs that require investments of questionable cost-effectiveness.
Several recent research attempts advocate that 5G is the ideal candidate to pro-
vide the next level connectivity necessary to fulfill the stringent requirements of
autonomous and paves the way for the provision of previously unfeasible CCAM
services for vehicles of SAE Level 3 and beyond. This is due to the fact that
(among other benefits discussed further), 5G provides extremely high and depend-
able connectivity with significantly lower-maximum latency (1–10 ms end-to-
end), and higher data transfer rates compared to existing technologies. It also has a
more efficient market penetration model that is more pervasive and cost-efficient.
A first step toward the technological exploitation of 5G communication
infrastructures in ITS as an alternative to existing approaches is illustrated in
Fig. 2.2. Instead of investing in expensive Road Side Infrastructure/Units (RSU)
that will support the IEEE 802.11p communication standard, a combination of
the current 4G technologies, where appropriate, with the 5G technology can be
used for developing a more cost-effective solution. Fig. 2.3 exemplifies the con-
cept in a cross-border scenario (the so-called “corridors” recommended by the
EC) (EC, 2019), where the problem of disrupted connectivity can be resolved
by the exploitation of 5G communication infrastructures.