An innovative proof-of-concept trial using connected mobility technology is underway in the City of Buenos Aires, enabling communication between vehicles and road infrastructure to exchange relevant information while on the move.
Kapsch TrafficCom implemented its connected vehicle (V2X – Vehicle to Everything) technology, which allows for testing under real-world conditions how the connection between vehicles and infrastructure can contribute to safer, more connected, and more efficient urban mobility.
The initiative represents a milestone in innovation as it is the first test of its kind conducted in a real urban environment in Latin America. Unlike a demonstration limited to a laboratory or a controlled circuit, the technology was taken to the streets to test its performance under real-world mobility conditions, including interaction with traffic light infrastructure and vehicle traffic.
“Conducting this test in a real urban environment allows us to move beyond technological validation toward concrete use cases for cities. V2X technology opens up new possibilities for vehicles, traffic lights, and management centers to exchange information and respond in a coordinated manner to what is happening on the streets,” said Ramiro Virreira, Kapsch’s Executive Vice President for Latin America.
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Vehicles and Infrastructure Communicating in Real Time
The architecture consists of the Kapsch platform, roadside devices, and on-board units in test vehicles. The roadside devices use 5.9 GHz communication technology, while the on-board units feature multimodal connectivity via 5.9 GHz, LTE, and Bluetooth. The platform enables the monitoring, configuration, and control of roadside units, as well as their integration into a smart, connected traffic ecosystem.
The system allows road infrastructure to transmit real-time information directly to connected vehicles and vice versa. Drivers can receive alerts and messages in their vehicles, while the central platform monitors the devices, manages standardized messages, and displays system data.
Specific Applications for Safer and More Efficient Mobility
The pilot is already underway, sending alerts to test vehicles regarding roadwork or lane closures, notifying them of stopped vehicles, and communicating hazardous road conditions.
The trial’s work plan also includes the design, implementation, and validation of traffic signal priority use cases based on time slots or conditions defined by the central platform, as well as a future phase aimed at incorporating information from fleet management and public transportation operations systems.
For public transportation, this type of implementation holds great potential for improving travel times and providing better service to users. Buses equipped with on-board units exchange real-time information with connected traffic lights, allowing priority requests to be dynamically managed by the traffic network.
Unlike traditional priority systems, which are typically based on physical sensors or predefined schedules, V2X technology enables decisions to be made based on information generated directly by the vehicle. This allows for more precise identification of the bus’s location and enables priority strategies tailored to the operational conditions of each corridor or intersection.
