Making ‘intelligent transport’ a reality with fit-for-purpose outdoor solutions

New wireless applications are laying the framework for the future of transport – but must be able to withstand operational challenges. Failure is not an option

Andy Bird, Managing Director at GTT Wireless

The latest analyst research indicates the intelligent transport sector is growing 13% every year and will pass $80bn by 2027, with new systems and applications developing at pace in this burgeoning market. These breakthroughs are set to benefit all users of transport infrastructure – from daily commuters and professional drivers to those responsible for managing and maintaining travel systems.

Much has been made of connected vehicles, but the underlying infrastructure that comprises highways, public transport and other transport services is today becoming equally interconnected through the Internet of Things and networked sensors. The critical hardware that underpins this infrastructure has in turn become a central part of modern transport design planning.

CIRRUS takes intelligent transport ambitions to the next level

With that mind, the scope of many of the intelligent transport systems is also broadening – from highly targeted applications at a specific hotspot to huge projects spanning multiple systems and regions.

The Panasonic ‘CIRRUS’ programme is a prime example. CIRRUS seeks to take advanced traffic management to the next level by linking together all road and highway infrastructure across an entire U.S. state. This ambitious system connects drivers with traffic management systems for real-time updates to boost road safety and information sharing on road conditions – saving lives and keeping traffic flowing.

Emerging challenges pose a threat to scaling up

The CIRRUS project is naturally an enormous task – the state of Michigan is approximately the same size as the entire UK – which poses numerous connectivity and communications challenges.

There are now numerous connectivity standards and methods available and in testing worldwide. CIRRUS uses the V2X method of communication, which can be WLAN or cellular based. V2X technology aims to connect vehicles to the entire world around them – other connected vehicles, smart infrastructure such as traffic lights and lane management systems, and data centres to capture and analyse vehicle telemetry.

Ensuring all these vehicles and systems are interoperable using V2X, and that connectivity can be maintained in both dense cities and remote rural areas, will be key for project success.

Reliability is non-negotiable

Smooth, 24×7 operations of all hardware scattered across vast space is vital to make sure critical road safety information is constantly available.

These intelligent transport systems are estimated to cut vehicle collisions by 80%. In a market where new applications are tailored towards avoiding multiple pile-ups, managing variable speed limits and providing road and weather condition warnings, a single hardware failure or lapse in uptime could have catastrophic effects.

There are also regulatory concerns in play for many of these critical applications. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) is especially keen on ensuring all hardware used in U.S. intelligent transport systems meets in-house standards for resilience and interoperability.

Leading-edge electronics require equally advanced hardware

These requirements mean intelligent transport electronics and their protective hardware must be designed and deployed with reliability and resilience in mind. For projects that seek to manage traffic across an entire state, hardware can be particularly remote and subjected to continually challenging conditions.

The CIRRUS project highlights this in detail. Panasonic’s partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation for an intelligent transport ecosystem involved tackling a 90-mile stretch of highway with extreme weather conditions, major dips and curves in the geography, and a host of traffic challenges that increase the likelihood of congestion and accidents.

Projects such as these require specialist enclosures, such as the GTT Wireless mSmart-Box ® range, which is IP67-rated and offers complete protection against extreme temperatures, dust, moisture and even heavy physical impacts. Every component – from external antenna, connectors and vents – must be equally rugged and hold the necessary certifications to ensure there are no weak links. The slightest moisture or dust intake risks total failure of highly sensitive electronics, which threatens the operational status of a state-wide intelligent transport system.

Truly modern transport systems have arrived – failure is not an option

Whether it’s smart parking, congestion easing or accident notification, the future of transport has never been more promising and more connected. Breakthroughs in connectivity and ambitious new use cases are occurring daily, each transforming an area of transport that has been untouched for decades.

The intelligent transport sector represents a rich opportunity for automotive companies, tech startups and global giants alike. Yet any technology innovations that look to transform the industry will need to be housed in suitable protective hardware, and use equally rugged components such as antenna and connectors to ensure failure is not an option.

Looking to get involved in bringing your wireless solutions into the intelligent transport market? GTT Wireless offers a proven, IP67-rated enclosure solution that has already been deployed in the transport sector to great success – visit our site to get started!