NXP pilots next-generation congestion management system in Singapore. Singapore ideal test bed for intelligent traffic solutions. NXP demonstrates applications for safety and connectivity at World Cities Summit 2012

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (Nasdaq: NXPI) has begun testing a next-generation congestion management system in Singapore. Cars equipped with NXP’s 3.5G telematics solution ATOP (automotive telematics on-board unit platform) are currently piloting modern mobility solutions in Singapore.

Singapore’s world-class infrastructure is the ideal test bed for intelligent traffic solutions as it faces the mobility challenges of today’s global megacities and aims to reduce pollution and congestion. During the Singapore trial cars equipped with ATOP a module allowing for cost-efficient and flexible integration into automotive electronics will wirelessly collect real-time traffic data via 3.5G mobile broadband. This allows the testing of congestion management as well as secure payment road-side assistance and paperless parking.

The results of the Singapore trial so far proves that NXP technologies can help alleviate congestion and help manage peak-hour traffic ultimately helping drivers to save costs and contribute to a greener environment.

The ATOP module is the core of an On Board Unit (OBU). The OBU contains a GPS receiver that collects with optimal privacy real time data such as the vehicle’s exact location and wirelessly feeds it to a back office. This allows service centres to calculate the fastest and most cost-effective route or advise drivers to choose the best means of transport.

The NXP technology can also wirelessly communicate with other cars and traffic signs to warn drivers of dangers ahead and advise on optimum speed.

3.5G communication has the bandwidth to accommodate congestion management schemes as well as other services to improve the traffic flow and road safety. In a second step these can be complemented with car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communication functionality. Such comprehensive mobility concepts will allow people in global megacities like Singapore to optimally use and combine all means of transport – including public transport taxi individual transport means and car sharing. A secure element is another key feature within this communication system. Financial-grade smart card technology allows for convenient and secure payment regardless if public or individual transport.

With NXP’s compact automotive-grade hardware governments don’t need to make heavy investments in communication infrastructure such as bulky toll gates or gantries. It forms the basis of a comprehensive intelligent mobility system that will help megacities manage congestion improve urban environmental conditions and increase economic competitiveness.

Advanced telematics functions for intelligent transport systems electro mobility applications and use cases as well as active safety and car-to-car communication that can make traffic in megacities safer smoother and cleaner were demonstrated at the World Cities Summit 2012 in Singapore 1-4 July:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oCCyJ-wb4M&list=FLR93HViLk1236preKnaeZfw&index=1&feature=plcp)

  • Smart Sensors manufactured in standard CMOS technology enable cost-effective integration of multiple sensors into one sensor system. The CMOS technology allows additional functionality such as wireless networking and authentication to be efficiently built into the smart sensor node
  • Electro Mobility and Smart Grid Management. It is envisioned that electric driving will make a breakthrough in the market in 2018. New intelligent loading concepts that address the desires of drivers and the worries of the energy supply management.
    • G-PAL (Grid PAL) allows electric loading and payment at any place
    • With new technology EV cars can be wirelessly loaded while parking
    • Metering technology combined with smart security and privacy solutions generate the relevant data for innovative grid energy balancing algorithms
  • Active safety and car to car communication – Collision avoidance active guidance for traffic lights and at road crossings exact location of parking spots instant help from public service authorities – all of these become a reality when car-to car or car-to infrastructure communication technologies are deployed. NXP showed a highly reliable automotive-ready platform that allows cars to detect other vehicles from a distance of one kilometre. It allows drivers to see through obstacles such as trucks or receive warnings of dangers ahead. Other demos include automatic emergency call (eCall). eCall allows immediate and accurate accident reporting and active safety technology that would quickly guide ambulances to the accident scene while also warning approaching traffic about the road block
  • Smart in-car technology – Telematics services address tracking and tracing trucks and applications such as breakdown call and variable insurance for private cars

Smart mobility depending on time place and type of car enhanced by road pricing techniques influences the driving behaviour and improves traffic flow. On top of this smart in-car technology generates all the necessary data to allow third party services to make accurate congestion predictions early warnings for weather conditions and dangerous road situations

The presentation showed how the car can work as an intelligent internet-connected source of relevant in-car data and how third party services can process this data to value-adding applications. Click here to see more

Successes in the past

The ATOP technology NXP showed in Singapore was developed and tested in the Netherlands and Belgium. In a six-month road pricing trial in 2009 advanced congestion charge technology was successfully used to incentivise drivers to change their driving behaviour. This reduced traffic congestion and contributed to a greener environment. In fact 70 percent of drivers changed their behaviour to avoid rush-hour travel when presented with the right incentives demonstrating that road pricing systems can have a positive effect on driving habits and help alleviate traffic.

Spotlight on NXP ATOP eCall solution as Europe moves closer to implementing eCall emergency call system for road accidents

The European Union has decided to introduce the eCall emergency call system by 2015. Starting in 2015 all new cars in the 27 European Union member states as well as Croatia Iceland Norway and Switzerland are to be equipped with the European-wide automatic eCall system. By enabling faster emergency response times to road accidents the eCall system is expected to save up to 2500 lives each year in Europe.

The international HeERO project (Harmonised eCall European Pilot) will coordinate the implementation of eCall. In 2011 NXP proofed with a pan-European eCall trial with BMW IBM Deutsche Telekom Allianz OrtungsServices DEKRA and four European automobile clubs that the eCall technology – based on ATOP – is ready for implementation. ATOP is in the spotlight as a compact affordable and manufacturer-independent solution that is ready to make emergency calls throughout Europe.

More information on NXP’s mobility solutions here

Link to original Article

http://www.ertico.com/nxp-enabling-next-generation-urban-mobility/

Original Publication Date: Fri 27 Jul 2012