SAFE STRIP

The article refers to the SAFE STRIP concept and intended architecture, more specifically to the innovative impact the project will have on road safety and new technologies. SAFE STRIP aims to introduce a disruptive technology that embeds Collaborative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) into existing infrastructure to collect and communicate static and dynamic data regarding road, environmental and circulation conditions to drivers and Traffic Management Centres (TMCs). This will be achieved through the integration of low-cost micro/nano sensor communities that will be embedded in road elements.

The primary applications that SAFE STRIP develops as a proof of concept refer to drivers and riders as well as TMC operators. They focus on road safety and applications such as enhanced safety for intersections handling, merging flows, road works and rail crossings, on-road parking and tolling applications as well as the provision of low-cost and full life cycle predictive maintenance info for the infrastructure, based on actual road condition measurements. On top of that,  SAFE STRIP provides a series of applications for the upgrade of autonomous vehicles functioning.

SAFE STRIP solutions concern all vehicles; those that are C-ITS equipped and those that are not, as well as autonomous vehicles.

Intelligent vehicle systems will be upgraded through more accurate and timely information provided by the system with a minimum of 100 € equipment, while drivers of non-equipped vehicles can access intelligent vehicle systems through easy to use, mobile applications. The proposed solution will be applicable to both passenger vehicles, trucks and motorcycles.

Two technological approaches will be developed; one for equipped and autonomous vehicles and one for non-equipped vehicles and motorcycles. In the first case, direct communication from the road infrastructure to the vehicle (I2V) will be achieved through the IEEE 802.11p communication protocol. The second approach uses Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Cloud technologies to transmit the information to smart devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.). Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technologies will also also deployed. A Decision Support System will be responsible for issuing personalized notifications, alerts and recommendations for the applications that will serve as proof of concept.

Technical validation and user evaluation in SAFE STRIP will be realised in 5 pilot sites, in controlled environments as well as in real traffic conditions (in A22 in Italy and Attiki Odos in Greece) to ensure a well-rounded assessment.

Expected results and benefits include:

• showcasing upgrade of vehicle intelligence and its accuracy;
• provision of intelligent functions to non-equipped vehicles that is expected to enhance road safety and equity in road;
• opening of a new market for sensors’ and energy harvesting manufacturers and suppliers, focused on intelligent road infrastructure;
• exploring new applications for the highly promising communication protocol IEEE 802.11p;
• eliminating the need for vehicle on-board sensors;
• contribution to the hybrid, dynamic calculation of the actual road friction coefficient;
• reducing installation, maintenance and operational costs of road infrastructure (i.e. VMS, toll stations, etc.) by 50-95% by decreasing or eliminating the need for their existence and operation.