When cars can “talk” to traffic lights: The 19th ITS World Congress will present intelligent mobility solutions for visitors to experience for themselves

You’re driving along when suddenly a motorcycle crosses the road just ahead of you. Your brakes squeal and you feel yourself being pressed forward against your seat belt. A scream – but everything is okay this time. The car stopped in time for the motorcyclist. And you didn’t have to do a thing. The car activates the brakes all by itself.

“That is one of the exciting innovations that participants in the 19th ITS World Congress will be able to see for themselves in Vienna” comments Alexander Frötscher ITS Congress Demonstration co-ordinator.

Over 20 hands-on demonstrations of intelligent mobility solutions will be shown from 22 to 26 October. They come in five categories covering cooperative mobility e-mobility public transport navigation and ITS network management. Here are some examples:

Cooperative mobility: When cars and traffic signals communicate
During your 30-minute drive through the city your car will tell you how long the next traffic signal will stay green. A display will show you how to get to the nearest park and ride facility tell you how many parking spaces are still available and let you know when the next metro will leave for the city centre. On the express highway you will receive the information on the overhead signs directly in your car. When driving towards an accident black spot you will receive a warning ahead of time. And on your way back your navigation device will guide you safely through a construction site where a wide construction vehicle happens to be manoeuvring at that moment.

There are roughly 40 companies working together on this demonstration including nearly all of the large car manufacturers and most of the leading providers of infrastructure such as signalling systems variable message signs and software components for traffic control centres.
 
E-mobility: Get more kilometres out of your electric car
The biggest problem with electric vehicles is their limited battery capacities. Your future navigation device will therefore show you not only the shortest route but also the most energy-saving one. And if you’ve reached your destination with an almost empty battery your navigation device will direct you to the nearest charging station which will already be reserved and booked during your journey.

Public transport: “ways4all” – no one left behind
During the “ways4all” presentation blind and visually impaired people will be led through the city and provided with support in the use of public transport. On the street the GPS and compass on their mobile phone will help people to get their bearings. Spoken navigation instructions will direct them to the nearest metro station where an indoor navigation system will provide directions about which way to go tell them which way to turn or if they need to change direction warn them about stairs and guide them to the nearest lift. And all of the information will be provided in real time. In the demonstration of “ways4all” at the ITS World Congress a guide with impaired vision will lead you through the city.

Navigation: Tracking dangerous goods
Navigation systems can be used to track and monitor dangerous goods as they are transported in lorries throughout Europe. There are already around 500 lorries equipped with these navigation and sensor systems. At the ITS World Congress you can track one of these dangerous goods transports on its way through Europe.

ITS Network Management: No parking space is too narrow
You find the very last spot in the car park but once you’ve parked your car there you realise that you can’t open your doors. So although you managed to park your car you’re trapped inside. At the presentation of ITS Network Management you’ll see how your car can park itself. And if there’s still not enough space for you to get back in when you want to leave your car will pull out of the parking spot all by itself. This demonstration will take place in the parking garage of the congress facilities.

There will be explanations and instructions about the demonstrations in the launch area in Hall A of the congress building. Participants will leave together from there to get to the nearest parking garage the nearest metro station or the nearest demo car that will take you through city traffic. In other words the ITS World Congress will show you in close detail how mobility will feel in the future.

For information and reservations visit www.itsworldcongress.com. Registration is already open and a detailed programme is available.

The ITS World Congress is held every three years in alternating locations in the Americas Asia and Europe and will be hosted by Vienna for the first time this year. Roughly 300 exhibitors and some 10000 participants are expected. The congress in Vienna from 22 to 26 October 2012 is being organised by ERTICO – ITS Europe in cooperation with ITS America and ITS Asia-Pacific along with the Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport Innovation and Technology (BMVIT).

Link to original Article

http://www.ertico.com/smarter-on-the-way-intelligent-mobility-of-the-future-to-be-demonstrated-in-vienna/

Original Publication Date: Fri 27 Jul 2012