HERE and the Netherlands evaluating 4G/LTE-based C-ITS road messaging system

HERE, a leader in mapping, navigation and location experiences, and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment are together evaluating the deployment of a cellular network-based Cooperative Intelligent Transportation System (C-ITS) for improving road safety and reducing congestion in the Netherlands.

The evaluation focuses on a system utilizing standard commercial 3G and 4G/LTE cellular networks as well as location cloud technology and data analytics from HERE to connect smartphones and other devices, road infrastructure and traffic management centers. The system would serve as an efficient low latency data exchange mechanism, whereby targeted information – about, for example, an accident or black ice – could be communicated to the right people at the right time and location.

HERE has agreed to support Beter Benutten (Optimising Use), the ministry’s comprehensive program to optimize the efficiency of the country’s transportation networks through innovative solutions, with a demonstration of the technology in Amsterdam during the Netherlands’ Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2016.

Caspar de Jonge, project manager for Beter Benutten, said: “The vast majority of Dutch adults are using smartphones and, increasingly, cars and infrastructure are getting connected to the Internet. There is an opportunity to take advantage of this connectivity to improve road safety and traffic flow in the next few years. In particular, in 2016, we want to start deploying a road user messaging system that enables information to be gathered, processed and then distributed to the relevant road-users with quality, accuracy and at sub-second delivery rates. HERE will demonstrate to us that it can tick those boxes.”

Ogi Redzic, senior vice president of Automotive, HERE, said: “The ministry has been keen to explore the potential of cellular networks in improving mobility in the Netherlands. HERE’s solution can be built on existing Dutch networks, meaning that it wouldn’t cost the earth, could be quickly rolled out across the whole country and would bring benefits to citizens relatively fast. The Netherlands is regarded as a C-ITS trailblazer in Europe, so we’re looking forward to showcasing what we can do in the Amsterdam demo next year.”

To read more, see HERE 360.

About HERE and HERE Digital Transportation Infrastructure
HERE, a Nokia company, is a leader in navigation, mapping and location experiences. We build high-definition (HD) maps and combine them with cloud technology to enable rich, real-time location experiences in a broad range of connected devices – from smartphones and tablets to wearables and vehicles. Through its new Digital Transportation Infrastructure (DTI) program, HERE is also supporting the development of Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems (C-ITS), such as in Finland where it will next year begin piloting a road hazard warning system. DTI is focusing on C-ITS solutions which are easily scalable across large areas; interoperable across borders; compatible with future cellular network standards, such as 5G; and easy for people to use and benefit from. To learn more about HERE, including our work in the areas of connected and automated driving, visit http://360.here.com.

About HERE in the Netherlands
HERE, which has roots in the Netherlands going back to the 1990s, currently operates out of its Veldhoven base. We are soon relocating our 250-strong team to a larger facility in Eindhoven, with plans to hire an additional 75 map production staff, software engineers and scientists by summer 2016.

About Beter Benutten
Beter Benutten is a program run by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment focused on ITS deployment and smart mobility, and actively encouraging cooperation between the private sector, users and the government. The cooperation between HERE and the Ministry for Infrastructure and Environment to demonstrate a showcase in the Netherlands, is in part a direct result of the country’s ambitions to foster innovation, strengthen its competitive position and be a frontrunner in the area of cooperative ITS, self-driving cars and smart mobility as a whole.

Due to the country’s highly developed and dense traffic network and evolved traffic management, smart phone and 4G penetration rate and various previous and current government programs and initiatives, the Netherlands is eminently suitable for development, testing and deployment of C-ITS using existing and evolving international standards. The country has invested in renowned knowledge clusters in the automotive and technology field and high level facilities, thus providing a favorable test, development and deployment climate. Examples are tests on autonomous driving, truck platooning, Praktijk Proef Amsterdam, the Traffic Innovation Center in Helmond, the Cooperative ITS corridor and live testing on Cooperative Shock wave mitigation in Brabant.

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