Intelligent V2X system streamlines port traffic

The smartPORT Traffic Light was realised by the HPA in conjunction with its partners NXP, Siemens, Heusch/Boesefeldt, and Hamburg Verkehrsanlagen. With the intelligent traffic light, trucks are guided around the port more quickly, helping reduce CO₂ emissions. A special automotive wireless LAN V2X communication system allows vehicles to communicate securely and wirelessly with infrastructure elements like traffic lights, road signs, and roadworks.

An approaching line of vehicles can communicate with the intelligent traffic light to turn it green or keep it green, allowing the vehicles to pass the light without stopping. In addition, RFID technology allows the traffic light to identify vulnerable road users in the vicinity and, as a result, send automatic hazard warnings to approaching trucks via V2X to prevent accidents.

NXP Semiconductors supplied the solutions for the wireless communication, V2X and RFID, and ensures data protection and security. Another project partner, Siemens, gained extensive experience in the area of intelligent traffic lights in recent years and has conducted research into light signal systems and communication modules designed with cooperation between a car and the infrastructure in mind. In the smartPORT Traffic Light project, Siemens was responsible for the connection to the traffic light and traffic engineering modifications. Hamburg Verkehrsanlagen (Hamburg Road Equipment) linked up all the different project members’ technical components for operation and integrated them into the overall system.

“The intelligent port is a key component of the ‘Strategie Digitale Stadt’ (Digital City Strategy) adopted by Hamburg’s Senate at the beginning of the year. The innovations currently being tested in the port by HPA and NXP will play an important part in making the port even more competitive and will add to the location benefits for the city of Hamburg: we need intelligent traffic solutions that improve both the safety and quality of life of the people who live here,” said Minister of Economy, Transport, and Innovation for Hamburg, Frank Horch.

“We intend to significantly boost the safety and efficiency of traffic and freight management within the port of Hamburg with our smartPORT projects. This calls for innovative concepts and solutions. Based on its experience and expertise in the areas of intelligent traffic management and secure communication, NXP is a key strategic innovation partner for us,” added Dr. Sebastian Saxe, CIO and Chief Digital Officer (CDO), HPA.

“NXP works with the automotive industry, infrastructure partners, and public authorities around the world to improve traffic flows, traffic safety, and logistics operations in global megacities and to ensure data security in today’s smart, connected world. Hamburg is where our head office in Germany is located and is NXP’s most important innovation center for intelligent traffic management and IT security. Together with HPA, we are excited to now be able to make this expertise available to the city of Hamburg and its citizens,” says Kurt Sievers, executive vice president Automotive, NXP Semiconductors.

The intelligent traffic light was officially introduced by Frank Horch, Dr. Sebastian Saxe and Kurt Sievers, Executive Vice President, Automotive, NXP.