Japan-based auto component maker Denso has partnered with Tongji University (Shanghai), to start testing vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) technology on public roads in Taicang, Jiangsu Province, China from 22 March 2012.
For the past several years, Denso has been conducting field tests in Japan, the US and Europe, while this is its first V2X technology field test on public roads in China.
Denso executive director in charge of the engineering research & development center Yasushi Yamanaka said that due to the rapid increase in vehicles on China's roads, chronic congestion and safety are the two largest issues, particularly in the larger cities.
"V2X technology, which allows cars to wirelessly communicate with other cars and roadside infrastructure, such as traffic signals, is expected to help alleviate traffic congestion and help prevent collisions," Yamanaka said.
The company said that the V2X technology will be used to wirelessly communicate the vehicle position and speed of emergency vehicles - like ambulances and fire engines - to the surrounding vehicles and roadside infrastructure.
The new technology will change the traffic light at intersections and alert surrounding vehicles to switch lanes, when an emergency vehicle is approaching.
The experiments are aimed to give the right of way to authority vehicles in case of emergency and to help prevent vehicle collisions.
