In one of the first such deployments of V2X (vehicle-to-everything) technology in a real-world setting, Honda demonstrated in late 2018 Smart Intersection communication technology designed to reduce traffic collisions at roadway intersections. Honda believes that V2X technology is an essential component of a smarter and safer transportation ecosystem and can play a role in its dream for a zero-collision society. In addition, intersection collisions account for roughly 40% of all collisions and 20% of the nearly 35,000 traffic-related deaths that occur in the U.S. each year. Developed in partnership with the City of Marysville, OH, as well as Union County and the Ohio Department of Transportation, as part of the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor project, the pilot was designed to address the limitations of onboard vehicle sensors in reducing traffic collisions at roadway intersections. The technology, which uses Honda’s proprietary object-recognition software in conjunction with intersection-mounted cameras and V2X communications, is designed to allow car operators to see virtually through and around buildings and walls to help identify and alert drivers to otherwise hidden hazards. The intersection features four cameras mounted above the traffic lights at each corner to capture bird’s-eye-view video of surrounding vehicle and pedestrian traffic out to a 300-ft (91-m) range. Honda’s image-processing software then creates a 360-degree image of the intersection that classifies vehicles and other moving objects to surrounding vehicles via a dedicated short-range communication signal. Each connected vehicle’s onboard computer decodes the information and provides visible and audible alerts to the driver to avoid a potential collision. Since the project was announced, Honda has started data analysis focusing on driver behavior and differences in maneuvering with or without pedestrians present at the Smart Intersection. Additionally, the City of Marysville added LiDAR sensors at the intersection recently with the intent to extend the pedestrian detection range for the project.

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