The gradual automation of transport systems and consequently the release of selected tracks for the automated and networked vehicles requires extensive digitalization of the transport infrastructure, including new applications adapted to the requirements of automated level-4-vehicles, to ensure operation. In the interaction of the applications, a protection through redundancies must guarantee the functional safety of the entire system.

The goal of KoMoDnext is the preparation of selected networked sections suitable for automated level-4-vehicles. The focus is to secure automated driving by developing new control procedures using mobile sensor networks and by securing communication between vehicle and infrastructure. By integrating standardized IT security procedures, standard production vehicles will be integrated into the mobile sensor network as a larger vehicle fleet for the first time.

Due to the complexity of automation at urban nodes, multimodal protection is pursued through mobile pedestrian and cyclist data as well as high-resolution stationary data. Depending on the traffic and environmental situations, the return of the driving function to the driver in the correct time can also contribute to the safety of the overall system.

The project focuses on five use cases that support the networking of vehicles and infrastructure not only in urban areas, but also on the motorway, in the transition to the urban area and in the inner city at complex junctions and that promote the market introduction and practical suitability of automated driving functions. The applications are implemented and tested in the digital test field of Dusseldorf under real traffic conditions.

The use of existing standards in the implementation of the use cases guarantees the accessibility of the test field for interested third parties.

The traffic management software VTmanager by GEVAS software has been directing the traffic in the system of traffic  management center in Düsseldorf for years. Within KoMoDnext, it is extended by a new open V2I platform (Vehicle to Infrastructure Platform). This platform will allow the cyclists and vehicles at traffic lights to be registered via smartphones or navigation backends of vehicle manufacturers. In this way, the traffic light control is informed about the individual traffic participants and can react optimally.

Reciprocally, the V2I platform will provide vehicles with information that will support highly automated driving particularly in the city.

In the predecessor project KoMoD, GEVAS software already developed the smartphone app trafficpilot, which offers a green-wave assistant and a remaining-red-light display. Now, cyclists can be registered at traffic lights using the V2I platform to get an individual green wave. Exemplary test vehicles from Audi, Ford, DLR and RWTH Aachen University are also connected to the V2I platform.

Homepage: https://komodnext.org