A connected world is all the more possible with various connectivity options. Traffic data has been used for many purposes for safety, design and commercial strategy. Road traffic safety is an area that makes heavy use of stats. Where there are hazards, prevention is the best course of action and the next step in warning and prevention may be finding its way to connected vehicles through live sensing along selected routes. Roads are designed with acceptable safety parameters but it is almost inevitable that what lies around a bend will not be seen until it might be too little too late.
Spanish car maker SEAT are exploring options of providing early warning systems to their drivers through sensor and capture technology. Analysis of the road conditions could automatically discover potential road hazards through image analysis and sensor data. Detected hazards would be relayed to oncoming vehicles in advanced, allowing a significant boost to prepare for accident prevention. This gives a significant buffer to assist reaction time no matter road, weather and visibility conditions. SEAT are allocating significant resource to early warning systems, including a drone system that serves as a vantage point to provide additional data and communication.
New systems to improve safety and make road journeying safer gain heavy favour with governments. Drones relaying data of cellular networks will be able to warn drivers well in advance, the trial currently being carried out uses the SEAT Ateca, the latest SUV that maintains a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. With the arrival of 5G, staying connected in all areas is now a possibility. Line of sight is important for 5G connectivity and it means that otherwise rural areas may benefit from the 5G speeds. Information on the dashboard provides information for drivers to be informed and aware but it remains to be seen just how effective this will be to a wider audience.
Infrastructure development has seen great investment to make roads safe and adaptive to technology implementations. It may just be the start of a rehaul of the auto experience and it remains to be seen when a driverless solution will make its way to the highway. Sensor technologies are always being implemented into roads, 5G connectivity may give the rapid response needed to help prevent accidents and make a difference to life.
Drive safe!
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