AUGMENTED CCAM

Introduction

According to Flanders’ VISION 2050-long term strategy policy document-vehicles are expected to have 100% real-time connectivity on the relevant road network, in order to allow the greatest possible extension of Automated Vehicles (AVs) Operational Design Domain (ODD). Challenges are namely infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and validation that will need a permanent development in parallel to market solutions, as technologies, investments and business models need to go hand in hand. We have asked Wendy what the link is with the AUGMENTED CCAM proposal: What is it about and Why is it important.

Wendy: “AUGMENTED CCAM is a thoroughly interdisciplinary project.  Due to the nature of the overarching aim of the project and its objectives- the project aims to implement interdisciplinary proposed solutions when exploring and understanding the PDI requirements and adaptations for CCAM, i.e., Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering, Electronic Engineering and Computer Sciences.  To define operational framework and architecture for CCAM services and solutions, academics will work together with backgrounds in smart mobility management, transport, big data, optimization. In addition, expertise from several disciplines will be integrated when testing novel solutions and services in virtual demonstration platforms, i.e., Digital Twinning, Simulation, Computer Science, Traffic Engineering, Transport Systems.

Thus, why is it important? Wendy: “AUGMENTED CCAM will contribute to the broader expected impacts of Climate, Energy and Mobility focussing on : ‘Safe, seamless, smart, inclusive, resilient, climate neutral and sustainable mobility systems for people and goods thanks to user centric technologies and services including digital technologies and advanced satellite navigation services’. Also, although there is no direct association to the other expected impact. AUGMENTED CCAM will also consider ‘clean solutions across all transport modes’ towards ‘climate-neutral and environmental friendly mobility’. The environmental aspect is cross-cutting all planned PDI support. While in relation to ‘global competitiveness of the EU transport sector’, it will develop prototype solutions similar to what is being developed in Australia and in China”.

AIM (WHAT)

AUGMENTED CCAM aims to understand, harmonise and evaluate in an augmented manner adapted and novel support solutions of Physical, Digital and Communication (PDI) infrastructure, to advance its readiness for large scale deployment of CCAM solutions for all. The project will elaborate, extend and harmonise PDI classification and support levels mapping co-determined PDI priority requirements and adaptations.

METHODOLOGY (HOW)

Based on this and by deploying an open sharing technology agnostic service operational framework and architecture for PDI enabled CCAM, addressing all CCAM actors via multi-cooperation models, the project will develop 11 PDI support solutions (aiming at TLR 6-7) that will apply and evaluate in different configurations in seven (7) test sites across three (3) European Countries (France, Latvia, Spain), encompassing a vast spectrum of physical (living labs, closed areas, open traffic highway, urban and peri-urban/rural environments) and virtual (DT, AV & driving simulators) test beds.

IMPACT (WHY)

AI and Big Data advanced techniques and crowdsourced HD maps will leverage the whole transport system and its users’ situational awareness, prediction and actuation. The different test activities findings, supported by micro and macroscopic traffic simulations, will allow the assessment of different PDI support on functional safety of the whole transport infrastructure, on traffic safety and efficiency, driving behaviour, environmental footprint, service reliability, trust & security, considering the socioeconomic benefits and costs of all actors, and the issue of roadmap and recommendations, proposing risk-aversion decision making tools and methodologies for policy making and CCAM - ready infrastructure investments.