What is Wireless Vehicle Communications via DSRC?

DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) is a technology that enables vehicle to vehicle and vehicle to infrastructure communications in very short time frames (faster than human response). It's primary application is safety, e.g. collision avoidance. In effect it enables vehicles to 'see around corners', over hills and beyond visual obstructions to know all about the movements of surrounding traffic.  Each vehicle can 'watch' and communicate with all vehicles for more than 100 m in all directions as well monitor the status of traffic lights, variable speed signs etc.  Similarly, it enables infrastructure to know about the traffic and communicate with vehicles. 

Intervention to Avoid Accidents

DSRC uses GPS for positioning and can be connected to the vehicle's driving controls (the 'CAN bus') for intervention, e.g. to automatically apply brakes to prevent a collision or to prevent a driver crossing a level crossing when a train is approaching.  It is the only wireless technology suitable for applying intervention to prevent accidents.

DSRC Road Map

DSRC has already undergone extensive testing overseas and is on the roadmap for car manufacturers. Australia already has an industry cluster seeking to secure the spectrum for DSRC see www.AusDSRC.com.au.

Why be involved in a DSRC demonstrator project?

Some of the reasons to get involved include the following.

• Strategic planning.
• Early involvement means you get to influence the design and development priorities of DSRC in Australia.
• Publicity as being a forward-thinking company.
• Competitive advantage and experience with an emerging technology.
• Working with government support.  The NSW Dept of State and Regional Development has made available $100,000 for a DSRC demonstrator project in Transport and Logistics.

For more information contact Neil Temperley Neil [dot] Temperleynicta [dot] com [dot] au.

One Communications 'Channel' to Rule Them All

There are a variety of wireless technologies that enable, communications with, and tracking of, trucks.  Each is usually specifically configured for just one application.  DSRC however, is a fundamental part of a broader standards initiative called CALM (Communications, Air-interface, Long and Medium range) which enables interoperability between all forms of communication an operator might make with a truck.

For a properly equipped truck, this provides access to all information of interest via the one communications technology/channel, such as:

• Driver information: name, driver diary, driver behaviour, time until next fatigue stop.
• Load information: goods, condition and destination.  The technology could be integrated with a RFID tag attached to a container for example.
• Truck information: location, destination, maintenance status, fuel, efficiency, emissions.

Allows flexible addressing of communications

Examples include:

• Message addressed to the driver of whichever truck is carrying container XXX.
• Message to all trucks of fleet owner XXX which are within 1 km of port YYY.

Acknowledged communications

Every message is acknowledged by the system as having being received.

Applications

DSRC has more than 100 identified applications. While DSRC's primary focus is  safety applications, it has many other applications from payment systems, scheduling, finding parking spots to movie downloads. Where necessary it can be combined with mobile phone technologies 3G/HSPA/GPRS for data backhaul to centralised systems.

DSRC 'unlocks' a variety of new applications related to trucks as outlined in the following sections.

Infrastructure Protection

The technology uses intervention to prevent oversize vehicles entering tunnels and overweight vehicles crossing bridges, e.g. driver is warned well in advance and the truck progressively slows as the driver approaches the no-go zone.

Railway Safety

The system prevents trucks crossing level crossings when trains are approaching.

Transit Lane Sharing

The concept it to enable trucks to share lanes with buses such that the buses are not impeded. The trucks are given advisory speeds and told when to temporarily leave the lane.

Port Traffic Management

DSRC is ideal for this. Road side units can address special messages to all trucks in particular zones around the the port and/or to all trucks of a particular company.  Integration with electronic tags on containers, e.g. RFID, would enable containers to be tracked and messages to be directed to drivers carrying particular loads.

Emissions and Fuel Reduction

DSRC can reduce stop/start by giving advisory speeds to vehicles approaching red lights or halted traffic. It enables local and city-wide coordination between traffic lights and traffic to minimise emissions.

Infrastructure Usage Pricing

Tolls are applied on location or road usage and or time, e.g. congestion based pricing and the Intelligent Access Program.

Tolling

DSRC is a logical and more flexible replacement for toll tags.

Platooning

Intervention coordinates vehicles to move in very close groups, thus maximising through-put and reducing wind resistance, i.e. reducing fuel consumption.

DSRC Uptake

While DSRC is on the roadmap for many countries and car manufacturers, uptake will be gradual.  Furthermore many applications require a high DSRC uptake to be really effective, e.g. collision avoidance.  In the meantime there is an excellent opportunity to explore and develop applications tailored to the Australian environment.