Cadillac has shown vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) capability with practical application through its CTS sedan successfully communicating with a traffic signal. The tests of the CTS’ traffic signal reading were conducted by General Motors in collaboration with Michigan road agencies.
The traffic signals, located adjacent to the GM Warren Technical Center campus at the intersections of 12 Mile and 13 Mile roads, were able to send real-time data using Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) protocol to the development vehicles, which alerted the drivers of a potential red light violation at current speed. This alert helps avoid the dangerous decision to either brake abruptly or accelerate through a busy intersection.
To ensure the privacy of the driver, the vehicles do not transmit any identifying information such as VIN number, registration or MAC address, in their messages.
For example, if a connected car runs a red light, the traffic signal may be able to say someone ran a red light, but will not be able to say who or what vehicle. As for cybersecurity, firewalls and other measures are used to ensure the DSRC signals cannot be interfered with and are only exchanged between the vehicle and the infrastructure. This is similar to the encryption used on Cadillac’s V2V technology.
The Michigan Department of Transportation, Macomb Country Department of Roads, and General Motors’ Research & Development are collaborating to showcase leadership in the connected and automated vehicle environment.
Cadillac’s V2V solution uses GPS for positioning and DSRC for communication, which can handle 1,000 messages per second from vehicles up to about 1,000 feet away. V2V-equipped vehicles create an ad hoc wireless network that allows for the transfer of information without relying on sight lines, good weather conditions or cellular coverage.
V2V is included as a standard feature on the 2017 CTS sedan in the US and Canada and complements a robust suite of available active safety features.
Aaron is an automotive journalist living in Wyoming, USA. His background includes technology, mechanics, commercial vehicles, and new vehicle evaluations. Aaron is a member of several automotive media groups and writes for many well-known publications.