NoTraffic V2X tech gets US patent approval

Platform offers software-defined infrastructure including signalised intersections sensors
Detection, Monitoring & Machine Vision / February 15, 2024
By David Arminas
V2x inersections vulnerable road users US © Melpomenem | Dreamstime.com
USDoT plans to deploy V2X technology across 25% of signalised intersections in major cities within the next two years (© Melpomenem | Dreamstime.com)

NoTraffic has been granted US Patent Office approval for V2X connectivity technology that it says bridges the gap between connected and non-connected vehicles.

The company was granted the patent - titled "Enhancing Traffic Control Using V2X Communication and Sensor Data" - for the Vehicle to Everything (V2X) technology used in its AI mobility platform. The platform ensures all non-connected vehicles and vulnerable road users (VRUs) share the same benefits that were previously reserved only for connected cars.

NoTraffic says that its AI-mobility platform offers the first software-defined infrastructure which includes sensors installed at signalised intersections, a Mobility Operating System that enables the management of the traffic light grid in real time and a Mobility Store that acts as a one-stop shop, activating a variety of mobility applications.

With V2X connectivity already embedded into the NoTraffic platform, traffic operators can easily activate various V2X applications with a single click, eliminating the need for separate, dedicated hardware. The company says the solution is cost-effective, easy to install and compatible with existing infrastructures.

Additionally, the platform's built-in monitoring capabilities work 24/7 to ensure smooth operation of the safety-critical applications. The platform supports applications such as automated Signal Phase and Timing generation (SPAT) and MAP messages as well V2X applications such as emergency vehicle preemption (EVP) and transit signal priority (TSP) capabilities.

NoTraffic says approval of the patent comes at a strategic moment because the technology aligns seamlessly with the US Department of Transportation’s intentions to deploy V2X technology across 25% of signalised intersections in major cities within the next two years and 50% within four years.

Last November, the department announced an initial allocation of $40 million to support these efforts as part of the initiative Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment. This seeks to use technology to reduce the number of fatalities on US roads by enabling vehicles and wireless devices to communicate with each other and with roadside infrastructure. This will provide critical warnings to drivers.

V2X communication is seen as a key component of the Safe System Approach, which had been introduced as part of USDoT's National Roadway Safety Strategy in January 2022. The Safe System Approach is a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing the alarming crisis of roadway fatalities in the US.

NoTraffic’s patent integrates connected and non-connected road users, combining data from multiple sources and analysing camera, radar, V2X and cellular inputs with AI algorithms. This multifaceted approach, enhanced by advanced sensor technologies, enables the system to provide connected vehicles with critical information about the presence of all road users in their vicinity.

“Our platform offers a diverse range of V2X applications that goes beyond the immediate benefits, positioning itself as a premier all-in-one solution for V2X implementation,” said Tal Kreisler, chief executive and co-founder of NoTraffic. “With its capability for swift installation and seamless continuous operation, it stands out as a leading choice.”

NoTraffic’s mobility management platform leverages AI to retrofit signalised intersections into one fully automated, cloud-connected hub. The company says that in less than two hours of installation, the platform can classify all road users including – private vehicles, public transportation, emergency services, pedestrians and more. It can then respond accordingly to traffic conditions in real-time to reduce travel times and CO2 emissions and improve safety.

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