The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently celebrated Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) waivers granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allowing the agency to integrate C-V2X technology across the state.
C-V2X technology enables data sharing between vehicles, transportation infrastructure, pedestrians and mobile networks to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and increase road safety.
Practical examples of this technology include:
- Emergency vehicle prioritization: Communication with traffic systems to ensure that first responders have priority on the roadway improving response times through congested corridors
- Reduced emissions: Communication with traffic signals can reduce idling at intersections helping to reduce emissions by 20 percent
- Improved safety: Communications with other vehicles and transportation infrastructure can provide motorists with critical real-time information (hard braking, work zones, red light violation warnings, green light optimal speed advisory) that can prevent accidents and reduce fatalities
The 2021 passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has created greater opportunity for technology funding in transportation. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has supported GDOT as it worked to secure the necessary FCC waivers and implement the C-V2X technology on Georgia’s roadways.
“Georgia is on the leading edge of deploying connected vehicle technology to make their roads safer for all: cyclists, pedestrians, constructions crews, and drivers,” said Shailen Bhatt, FHWA Administrator in a press release. “That is critical to advancing our shared mission of delivering a world class transportation system -- in Georgia and across the entire country – that is safer, more efficient, more sustainable, and more equitable for all.”
“Our focus is always on safety and our ultimate goal at Georgia DOT is to achieve zero fatalities on our roadways,” said Russel R. McMurry, P.E. commissioner of GDOT in the release. “It is critical that we take a forward-looking approach and deploy new technologies quickly and safely to protect Georgia’s motoring public, and this technology gets us a little bit closer to our goal.”
GDOT currently has more than 700 intersections and interstate installations ready to deploy C-V2X technology in addition to the over 1200 signalized intersections already deployed with connected vehicle technology. The agency has also developed a V2X roadmap that outlines a 10-year funding program to equip all signalized intersections on the state route system.
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Source: The Georgia Department of Transportation
