The collaboration between Logica, eight Dutch companies and four universities, has resulted in making vehicles smarter, cleaner and safer.

Cars, trucks, buses, rescue vehicles and the environment will soon be able to interact with one another in real time, preventing the probability of traffic jams and further accidents. It is also possible for emergency service personnel to be alerted about approaching road conditions via a projection screen in the vehicle. To implement this solution, we have used the latest technology to create an affordable box unit, which is capable of being installed in nearly every dashboard available.

Our work is the result of several years of research. A collaboration group called SPITS (Strategic Platform for Intelligent Traffic Systems) with support from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, involves the working together of other Dutch based companies and universities to share knowledge and innovative ideas. SPITS has a European standard that is recognised and enforced by the Global Automotive Industry and governments across Europe.

For car manufacturers, there is a growing demand for production of smarter, cleaner and safer vehicles. Consumers are expecting better multimedia capabilities, with transport information made available 24/7. There is increased Government pressure on everyone to achieve a reduction in emissions, decreased congestion and fewer accidents. For all of these requirements to be achieved, a common platform is missing. With the help of SPITS, it is now possible for a flexible approach to be applied to the market, meeting everyone’s needs. SPITS has spent many years reducing and refining the technology so that bulky equipment is now only as big as a built-in navigation system. The state-of-the-art technology makes the equipment safer and allows transactions to be carried out seamlessly without any security risks. The product has become much more affordable for consumers.

Car Trains
In recent years SPITS has worked on ambitious technologies that enable to platoon. Driving onto a highway, the car can drive itself without any driver intervention. Through this so-called cooperative driving, many phantom traffic jams are reduced with an improvement in overall circulation. There are also traffic lights designed to pass on to an oncoming car how fast/slow they have to drive to get a green light. Furthermore, a system built by SPITS allows information via matrix signs on a screen situated within the car to show how busy it is several kilometres away. Therefore creating a ‘front-mirror’ to any congestion located on the route ahead.

Open platform
The goal of SPITS is an open, scalable and affordable platform for future transport systems. New techniques within cooperative driving and mobility can be created and further explored. By clever use of existing standards, establishing pragmatic solutions and architectures, has resulted in a tool kit which can be easily used by the industry. SPITS aim to provide a platform for cooperative driving across Europe, not just the Netherlands. To show that the platform is not only theoretical work, the partners have built specific solutions for different markets.

For more information visit www.spits-project.com