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When road traffic authorities have access to real-time data from vehicles and a means of communicating with drivers, it becomes easier to manage traffic and save lives
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Connected Traffic Cloud is a managed cloud platform that enables two-way sharing of data between connected vehicles and road traffic authorities
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Vehicle collisions and traffic congestion are two of the major challenges faced by road traffic authorities
Despite playing a vital role in facilitating the transportation of people and goods, road vehicles are also responsible for 1.24 million fatalities every year – according to the most recent data from the World Health Organization. And then there’s the cost of traffic congestion – calculated by adding up wasted fuel, time that could be spent more productively and higher business costs – which already amounts to well over USD 100 billion a year in the US alone.
To increase road safety and improve traffic flow, Ericsson is introducing Connected Traffic Cloud – a managed cloud platform that enables the sharing of real-time traffic and road condition data between connected vehicles and road traffic authorities. With Connected Traffic Cloud, the road traffic authorities have access to all the data they need – and also a much better means of communicating potentially life-saving traffic advisories to drivers.
Orvar Hurtig, Head of Industry & Society at Ericsson, says: “Mobile connectivity is increasingly a must-have feature in cars, thanks to both consumer demand for infotainment and a wide range of regulatory initiatives that aim to increase road safety. As a result, vehicles are becoming a major source of data that could be used to improve road traffic authorities’ ability to manage traffic and prevent avoidable accidents. Connected Traffic Cloud is the means by which that data could be shared.”
At launch, Connected Traffic Cloud dramatically improves the ability of road traffic authorities to communicate with drivers. Whereas currently the authorities rely on a combination of broadcast radio and digital roadside signage, Connected Traffic Cloud will facilitate proactive and location-relevant communication with drivers via the screens of connected devices.
In addition, Connected Traffic Cloud has the potential to greatly increase road traffic authorities’ ability to aggregate and analyze real real-time data from connected vehicles and devices – if the owners of the data are willing to share it.
From a component point of view, Connected Traffic Cloud combines industry applications, service enablement, connectivity management, and consulting and systems integration services. Each of these individual elements has been proven in other industry-specific managed cloud platforms, such as Connected Vehicle Cloud and Maritime ICT Cloud.
The primary customer for Connected Traffic Cloud is road traffic authorities, who currently rely on a limited set of data provided by a relatively small number of road sensors and traffic cameras. Other potential sources of data include aftermarket, portable GPS devices and smartphone navigation apps.
Traffic authorities use the data they have today to manage traffic flow by, for example, controlling traffic lights. In addition, they use the data they have to provide traffic advisories to drivers that help them avoid potentially dangerous road conditions as a result of, for example, lane closures and road works.
By launching Connected Traffic Cloud, Ericsson hopes to inspire the creation of an open ecosystem in which data from connected vehicles will be shared to ease traffic flow and enhance road safety.
Ericsson at Mobile World Congress 2015
During Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona, Spain, Ericsson is showing world-leading technology, service capabilities, and innovations. The Networked Society is transforming entire industries. ICT tools have become fundamental everyday resources for businesses, people and society. We lead the way with hardware, services and software solutions that drive development in mobility, broadband and cloud, creating the foundation for new eco-systems, and transformation across industries. The change that transformation brings is in the hands of everyone. That is why we at Mobile World Congress this year will talk about how we enable change-makers in the Networked Society to advance digital experiences.
You can find us at MWC in Hall 2, Stand 2N60. Follow us during the event using @Ericsson and join the discussion using #MWC15. Insights from our experts and Networked Society evangelists are also published on our blog during the event.
Original source: Ericsson
Photo source: @ericsson
