First Commercial ITS Verification Test Carried out in Changchun City, China

Currently, there are many efforts underway globally to implement ITS that connect vehicles and the roads they drive on with a network to resolve road and transportation problems such as traffic jams and road accidents. High-capacity data communication between vehicles (car to car) and between traffic signal equipment, road information management systems, and other roads/vehicles (road to car) are required to implement the ITS services such as ETC³, GPS for car navigation systems, safe driving support systems, and public transportation management services. Since last year, at locations around the world, there have been efforts to promote ITS verification testing aimed at practical implementation of ITS using the WAVE technology. This is due to that WAVE can implement, in real time, the high-speed/high-capacity communication required for image transmission, and it is regarded as the next-generation wireless technology capable of supporting car to car and road to car connections.

Now, a WAVE verification test has been carried out in Changchun City, using WAVE terminals located in three public busses, eight bus stops and an intersection on the main street that connects Changchun station with the Changchun municipal government. This was the first time that such a test has been carried out using public busses that were actually operated commercially, with bus stops on an ordinary street used for the bus route. Renesas’ WAVE terminals were installed in the busses, bus stops, and at intersections, where information, including image information acquired with cameras at the various sites, was exchanged between the WAVE terminals. The scenes at the intersections were projected on the monitor within the bus next to the driver’s seat, and the bus driver was possible to determine the state of traffic congestion. Similarly, by showing the scene inside the bus to the Changchun Transit Authority (CTA), they could see the degree of crowding as well as using the information for crime prevention as well. Also, by collecting this terminal data and acquiring bus position information in real time, it will be possible for the CTA to estimate the bus arrival times and displaying such information at bus stops and to achieve stable bus operations control by optimizing the bus arrival intervals.

Renesas developed a WAVE evaluation system in 2008, and has participated in ITS verification testing at many locations. The Chinese government has been promoting the construction of ITS infrastructure in the major cities and Changchun City has been developing its ITS infrastructure since 2007. Changchun City is the home of the First Automobile Works Group, which is one of the three major car manufacturers in China, where automotive-related industries are concentrated. Here, Renesas, partnering with FAW Qiming Information Technology Co., Ltd., which is part of the First Automobile Works Group in Changchun, has been participating in ITS infrastructure construction planning since June 2007. Renesas and Changchun National Optoelectronics Industry Base Development Co., Ltd. co-hosted this current test with the support of Changchun Bureau of Industry and Information along with Changchun Public Transport Group Co., Ltd. and Changchun Information Center for building the verification test infrastructure system. Renesas provided the WAVE platform integrating WAVE technology and related software, including software for the bus control system.

Renesas confirmed from the results of the verification test that the WAVE technology will be able to apply to safety monitoring of roads and public transportation systems. The results can also be applied to traffic control systems, traffic information service systems and safety driving assist at intersections and of public transportation systems. Renesas will provide an ITS terminal platform system with key devices and technological support to Changchun City, which is aiming at full deployment of a WAVE system. By providing ITS solutions, including the latest WAVE technology, not only in Changchun City but to other sites as well, Renesas contributes to safety, security, and comfort in the automotive society. In addition, Renesas will contribute to the standardization of WAVE, which IEEE 801.11p4 and ETSI5 have now studied to standardize WAVE as a unified specification, by providing feedback obtained from ITS verification tests using Renesas’ advanced WAVE evaluation system and developing an SoC incorporating WAVE technology.