Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems is providing an in-kind investment of its Connected Vehicle hardware and software technologies to Columbus, Ohio, the recent winner of the U.S. DOT Smart City Challenge.
Siemens’ Connected Vehicle technology investment, valued at $385,000, aims to support the expansion of “Smart Columbus”, an initiative to implement technologies that help residents move more easily and access opportunity. The advanced hardware and software will act as the foundation for the city’s future Connected Vehicle efforts, enabling vehicles to communicate with traffic infrastructure and, as a result, improve driver and pedestrian safety, reduce congestion and lower emissions.
The Siemens software and hardware package for the City of Columbus includes Connected Vehicle-ready traffic control software (SEPAC) that provides operators with detailed traffic signal phase timing, roadside units that allow traffic intersections to communicate with vehicles, and roadside unit management software that gives operators real-time visibility into traffic flow and Connected Vehicle operations. Siemens will also provide the city with training and support.
Connected Vehicle systems are able to communicate between vehicles and infrastructure and give drivers suggestions in real-time like speed recommendations, curve speed warnings or prioritization of specific vehicle fleets such as car-sharing or e-vehicles. The USDOT also states that Connected Vehicles can potentially avoid or mitigate 80% of unimpaired crashes. As part of its Smart Columbus initiative, the city will determine the most effective use cases and locations to implement the Connected Vehicle technology.
The City of Columbus won the U.S. Department of Transportation $40 million Smart City Challenge in June, 2016 after competing against 77 cities nationwide to implement a holistic vision for how technology can help all residents to move more easily and to access opportunity. Columbus was also awarded a $10 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the de-carbonization of the electric supply and transportation sectors.
Siemens is working with additional cities including Tampa, Ann Arbor and Seattle to implement intelligent traffic software and systems that help reduce congestion, increase safety and lower emissions.