Vehicle to Vulnerable Road User Communication with BLE 5X: Survey, Design Considerations, and Challenges

Vehicle to Vulnerable Road User Communication with BLE 5X:
Survey, Design Considerations, and Challenges
Authors (List of Authors)
Science and Engineering Faculty
Queensland University of Technology
2, George Street, Brisbane, 4001, QLD, Australia
Abstract— Vehicle to Vulnerable Road user solutions has enhanced safety in road networks. Every year millions of people die from road accidents with vulnerable road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians forming a significant part of this figure. This shows the significance of incorporating cellular or wireless technologies in road systems that offer more proactive solutions to avert possible collisions. This paper looks at how Vehicle communication systems have developed over the decades. The current systems employing more sophisticated and robust communication technologies that can detect road hazards over greater distances. The paper also describes how the integration of Bluetooth 5x boosts the functionalities of VVRU. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5x is the latest version with more powerful features that will prove integral to road safety. Various tests will be conducted to assess how VVRU with BLE 5x impacts road communication. The analysis will reveal some of the possible design improvements that will enhance the road detection capabilities of VVRU systems.
Keywords—Vehicle to Vulnerable Road Users; Vehicle to Pedestrian; BLE 5x; Intelligent Transport System; Collision
Introduction
Road safety is a critical issue in the transportation sector due to the increasing number of motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians. The most vulnerable road users include those people who are on foot or pedal such as cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, tow truck operators, and construction workers. Elderly or disabled people in wheelchairs are also among the at-risk groups in road traffic Vulnerable road users suffer a far more devastating impact during vehicle collisions. The reason being they are no external protective devices that would shield them from the impact of a crash. Drivers can be protected from the full impact of a road crash because a vehicle’s body can absorb some of the energy from a collision [1]. Road accident data shows an increase in road fatalities involving cyclists and pedestrians. For example, the WHO estimates that about half of the 1.2 million global road fatalities occur to vulnerable road users. A significant proportion of this figure includes children and elderly people. This highlights the significance of protecting VRU from calamity. Stringent laws have been instituted to help protect VRU which has seen some notable success. The strict laws impose stiff penalties or fines for drivers who violate road safety regulations. The effect has been drivers exercising more caution to ensure they do not endanger the lives of VRUs. In severe collisions where a VRU is injured or killed, the vehicle owner can be subjected to costly civil lawsuits that may attract jail time. Other measures include road safety awareness campaigns where VRU can be sensitized on the potential road hazards and risky roadway behaviors [1]. In many instances, pedestrians and cyclists think that road safety is necessary for drivers only which makes them ignore educational programs meant to promote safety. This paper will argue that vehicle communication systems have improved over the recent years and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) 5X offers a solution the prevention of road accidents and fatalities.
Despite progress made due to stronger road safety rules and awareness campaigns, there continues to be a greater need for additional mechanisms to protect VRU. It is in this context that sophisticated technologies have been developed to enhance road safety and protect vulnerable users. The Vehicle to Vulnerable Road User (V2VRU) Solution with BLE 5X technology offers the opportunity to avert road collisions for this group of road users. It employs wireless technologies that provide faster communication and greater network coverage for drivers compared to the former BLE 4X as shown in Fig 1 below. In the past, plenty of focus was placed on developing technologies that prevent Vehicle to Vehicle collisions while neglecting VRU safety [2]. The difference between BLE 4X and BLE 5X is the change to a 2-Mbps PHY in 5X from 1-Mbps PHY in 4X. BLE 5X takes less energy in data transfer and has higher maxim throughput of about 1430 kbps compared to 4X with 803 kbps.
Fig 1 Differences between BLE 4X and BLE 5X in data transfer [3]
Due to this, more information is available on the effectiveness of Vehicle to Vehicle communication systems which prevent collisions between drivers. The rising cases of motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians necessitated the development of Vehicle to Pedestrian (V2P) communication systems that would boost the safety of VRU. VVRUs is a critical innovation for boosting safety in the transport sector. It uses various communication technologies that enable interactions between road users and drivers. The integration of various components into the design framework has boosted safety and convenience for road users [4]. The goal of VVRU is to improve the safety features of vehicles and prevent collisions with pedestrians. By incorporating Intelligence Transportation systems, a driver can be alerted of any possible danger and avert collisions. This is possible if the vehicle is within a certain range which enables it to perceive the situation and take appropriate safety measures that will alert the driver. The use of wireless technologies provides a better signal strength that enables the VVRU to bypass any obstructions.
VVRU that is integrated with the Bluetooth 5X wireless technology is far more powerful than the earlier 4X version. It ensures a more extensive broadcasting capacity, quicker speeds, and greater range. This means that VVRU can connect with users over a broader ranger with better over-the-air connectivity which enhances the functionality of this road safety solution [3]. It minimizes any interferences which occur over networks. This paper explores the effectiveness of VVRU systems with BLE5X in modern vehicle communication systems.
A knowledge gap that exists covers the effectiveness of VVRU in reducing road fatalities. It is an area of interest as it examines whether sophisticated technologies can significantly enhance road safety. More research is needed in this area because most studies have focused on Vehicle to Vehicle systems. By also looking at the effect of Bluetooth 5X on the Intelligent Transportation Systems, the research can help identify its significance in aiding pedestrians and cyclists in busy roadways where robust communication technologies can prevent collisions.
problem statement
Most VRUs are yet to embrace modern intelligent transport systems (ITS). Roads with popularized ITS, cyclists, and pedestrians are classified as VRU but such users cannot guarantee their safety, particularly in sections characterized by heavy traffic and turning. VRU safety largely relies on the actions of vehicles and such a passive situation makes VRU unable to prepare for possible accidents, or become victims of accidents before taking action. Factors resulting from this problem include the lack of vehicle warning where pedestrians are unsure of the vehicle location which is about to collide with them, the delays in receiving information of the owner of the vehicle, and the inability to access information regarding road condition such as the blind spots. Solving the issue of information acquisition, pedestrians can avoid any possible collision in advance, and vehicles to obtain information to prevent accidents due to inattention and lack of reaction capacities. For instance, in traffic lights at intersections, vehicles and VRUs access equal and advanced information critical in preventing route crossing. The problem with this scenario is that vehicles and VRUs are treated equally instead of only focusing on restricting the behaviors of vehicles and excessively demanding communications from the vehicles. To solve this issue, effective communication architecture should be involved and communication software of portable devices developed. The goal of this architecture is to facilitate the active choice of conflict-free routes among VRUs.
research questions
How VRUs can actively avoid potential road hazards
* What are the Network Architecture and communication protocols of VVRU systems?
* How do VVRU solutions affect the safety of road users?
What is the role of BLE 5x in solving existing technical bottlenecks
* What is the impact of Bluetooth 5X on VVRU solutions?
* Does Bluetooth 5X offer greater functionalities over WI-FI technology?
hypotheses
VVRU solutions with Bluetooth 5X technology will perform better than other wireless technologies.
Vehicles that do not use Bluetooth 5X will experience a slower relay of safety messages and reduce road detection speeds.
Bluetooth 5X technology has a greater impact on road safety than other wireless technologies.
Bluetooth 5X technology offers greater functionalities that WI-FI systems in roadways and will provide users with faster communication capabilities.
research objectives
The use of VVRU with BLE5X has significantly reduced road fatalities and has minimized the threat of collision for VRU. The objective of this paper is to understand the safety features of VVRU solutions. Readers will understand the core components that make it an integral technology in transportation systems. The discussion will also help explain how the Bluetooth 5X technology aids road communication and whether the system protects VRU. This is crucial because of the rising accident rates. This paper will review various literature covering the development of VVRU solutions for road communications. It will then describe a research methodology for assessing the effectiveness of VVRU solutions with BLE 5X and WI-FI technologies. The paper will discuss the results from testing the different road communication technologies. These findings will be important in identifying the best road communication technologies for vulnerable road users.
literature review
Intelligent transport systems (ITS) use advanced technologies to help road users achieve a higher level of safety awareness. They combine a set of systems such as traffic control and car navigation to help to provide real-time information about roadside activities. They use wireless communications that provide short-range or long-range communication capabilities. A major channel in vehicular communication is the dedicated short-range communications (DSRC). This platform features direct communication that occurs between vehicles or transportation infrastructure. It works independently of Wi-Fi connections or cellular signals. They work in conjunction with advanced driver-assist applications to detect any road hazards [4]. Today’s carmakers have incorporated DSRC with other smartphones protecting users from both vehicle and non-vehicle collisions.
The original vehicle communication technologies used WLAN technology which allowed the creation of a wireless network between vehicles. They were based on the concept of Mobile ad hoc networks used to facilitate communication between vehicles. Information can be relayed once vehicles come within the required range and the systems can alert the vehicle of any roadside activity. The system did not use infrastructure ensuring direct communication. WLAN technology offered the benefit of low latency in vehicular communication. Over the years, the architecture developed into cellular-based systems that use 3G, 4G, or 5G networks. Cellular technology allows for communication between vehicles or between vehicles and networks [5]. So, today intelligent transport systems consist of robust vehicle communication systems.
The key drivers of vehicular communication systems are the advances in wireless technologies, remote sensing, and mobile computing. They have enabled the development of sophisticated Intelligent Transport systems that guarantee enhanced network coverage and sensing capabilities. This is particularly crucial as today’s traffic congestion in major cities causes numerous road fatalities and injuries. Vehicles have in-built computing networks that deal with specific aspects of the vehicle’s operation. Through the combination of sensing and computing capabilities, vehicles can perceive the external environment and with the help of wireless technologies, they can connect with other vehicles. This real-time communication enables vehicles to detect any road hazards and immediately alert the driver of the potential danger [4]. The warning system ensures the driver can take the necessary action to prevent a collision.
The VVRU system consists of complex network infrastructure with various components that allow seamless communication between vehicles and VRUs. It uses the help of an advanced cellular technology that offers wireless communication. The core components of the system are the VRU device, vehicle device, safety messages, an information processing unit. The role of the information processing unit is to help in tracking, detecting, and predicting trajectory [6]. The contents of the safety message include the direction of the two devices, location, and speed. These details help in the execution of tasks that will prevent a collision.
Three forms of communication exist in VVRU systems. First, direct communication does not use any intermediary such as the information processing unit. The VRU device and vehicle device exchange information directly using the same communication technology. Direct communication is the fastest and requires greater computer power. Second, indirect communication which combines the VRU device and vehicle device with infrastructure. The infrastructure processes information before relaying it to the respective communication nodes. In this form, the devices can have different technologies. Third, Hybrid communication that integrates the components of both direct and indirect communication [6]. It is a complex system that uses multiple communication technologies.
Various communication technologies are used in VVRU systems to prevent vehicle collisions in roadways. First, cellular-based VVRU systems which make use of 4G networks and smartphones for communication. They require a central infrastructure that enables a broader communication range for users. Second, Wi-Fi-based VVRU systems that do not need the help of infrastructure. These systems are effective in urban areas that have lower vehicle speeds that allow faster relay of safety messages. Third, a Bluetooth-based system like the VVRU with BLE5X that offers a longer range of communication. Bluetooth 5X provides direct communication between the vehicle and the VRU device [6]. Smartphones are the most common VRU device as they can use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular communication technologies.
In recent years, VVRU has been integrated with Bluetooth 5X which significantly enhances the safety capabilities of the intelligent transport system. Bluetooth 5X offers powerful detection nodes that help VVRU solution identify users in blind spots. These are areas drivers find difficulty in seeing and Bluetooth 5X will help users identify and VRU in those spots. This Bluetooth has low energy requirements meaning reduced power consumption. It is also compatible with many devices making it ideal for smartphone applications since it can easily connect with these devices. An advantage of this system is its flexibility as it can be used both during the day and night. This is in contrast with radar or camera-based systems that have difficulty providing detection at night. Bluetooth 5X gives VVRU the capacity to transmit longer-range communication ensuring that the vehicle can detect any potential danger from afar. It also increases the speed of relaying safety messages ensuring that drivers can be quickly alerted to any possible collision with VRU [7]. So, this is a more powerful Bluetooth version that will substantially boost road communication when used with VVRU.
With the continued advancement of vehicle communications, users can expect more vehicles with powerful VVRU solutions in the future. This will mean that developers will have to resolve some of the design challenges present in communication technologies. There is a possibility of developing vehicle communication solutions that will allow pedestrians to inform road users of their presence through the use of smartphone applications. Such innovations will mean greater road communications between vehicles and pedestrians. In the future, road users can expect communication technologies to alert them of even more road hazards. This will meet various engineering challenges within the communication system that will need to be fixed. Aspect such as the stability of the communication protocols and frequency necessary for the operation of VVRU solutions. Another challenge is ensuring consistent communication between vehicles, pedestrians, and transport infrastructure. This means automakers need to produce stronger computing and sensing tools that will be compatible with evolving wireless technologies. So, in the future, road users can expect ...