Q-Free to demonstrate standards-compliant C-ITS system at ITS World Congress

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A new systems-agnostic universal cooperative ITS (C-ITS) communications unit will be demonstrated at the 2016 ITS World Congress, which takes place in Melbourne, Australia from October 10-14.

Developed by the Norwegian tolling and intelligent traffic technology company, Q-Free, the new Universal ITS (U-ITS) Station offers a common solution for roadside and in-vehicle systems, with a unit that interfaces readily with other manufacturers’ products. At this year’s ITS World Congress, Q-Free’s U-ITS Station will be helping to achieve two significant firsts. The outdoor demonstration area will host the first C-ITS showcase of its type in the southern hemisphere; and it will also be the first implementation of C-ITS technology and applications using open, agreed standards on live intersections anywhere in the world. Q-Free’s U-ITS Station will form the heart of the C-ITS display and live demonstration on Melbourne streets.

The U-ITS Station is a compact, comprehensive C-ITS solution providing full hybrid, ETSI/ISO-standard communications. It is available in roadside and in-vehicle versions that use many of the same components. Its conformity with internationally agreed C-ITS standards enables ready interfacing with other manufacturers’ technologies. This is significant, as previous ITS World Congress outdoor demonstrations have featured proprietary standards, or effectively represented a single supplier’s product set.

During the Melbourne World Congress, U-ITS Station-equipped coaches traveling to and from the outdoor demonstration area will pass through a series of intersections. The roadside U-ITS Stations will broadcast standard messages, including intersection map and traffic signal status (SPaT/MAP), roadside awareness messages (CAM) and roadside service announcements. A central ITS station will provide open web access, enabling smartphone, tablet or PC users to follow the demonstration live. As well as the live real-world demonstrations, Q-Free will be in attendance within the main exhibition, and key members of staff will be on hand to talk about the U-ITS Station, as well as the company’s other systems that support smarter mobility in urban and inter-urban environments.

“The Universal ITS Station is the most technically advanced ITS product we have ever created,” said Knut Evensen, Q-Free’s chief technologist. “This is the third-generation unit and it is now a very highly capable and, crucially, robust solution for the C-ITS environment. Interoperability testing with other manufacturers went entirely according to plan. Everything worked just fine, first time. What we now have is an effective, accessible, totally standards-compliant solution that is fully capable of supporting C-ITS pilots around the world. We’ve already achieved our first sales in this respect.”

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Tom has edited Traffic Technology International (TTi) magazine and its Traffic Technology Today website since May 2014. During his time at the title, he has interviewed some of the top transportation chiefs at public agencies around the world as well as CEOs of leading multinationals and ground-breaking start-ups. Tom's earlier career saw him working on some the UK's leading consumer magazine titles. He has a law degree from the London School of Economics (LSE).