External testing of C-ITS on motorways in the Czech Republic

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Herman, the largest Czech manufacturer of OBU (RVU) and RSU units with its own research in the field of C-ITS, has long been involved in the design, development, and implementation of C-ITS systems and their architectures. Recently, we successfully completed two large-scale projects for the Road and Motorway Directorate of the Czech Republic (ŘSD), focused on the deployment of C-ITS components both within transport infrastructure (RSU) and in the vehicles of the motorway operator (OBU/RVU). As a result, the C-ITS system of the Road and Motorway Directorate of the Czech Republic has been expanded by more than 500 C-ITS devices. As part of these projects, independent external testing was also carried out, confirming reliable system operation, the required communication ranges, and full interoperability of the units with the central C-ITS infrastructure of ŘSD.


C-ITS as the foundation of modern transport

Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) enable real-time exchange of information between vehicles and the motorway infrastructure network. Herman OBU (RVU) and RSU units form a key communication element of this architecture, ensuring the transmission of safety events, hybrid LTE + ITS-G5 communication, and immediate driver warnings.


External testing on the D1 and D8 motorways

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External testing took place from November 2025 to January 2026 on the D1 and D8 motorways and was open to registered external entities. Equipment from the SSÚD Bernartice and SSÚD Řehlovice motorway maintenance centers was involved in the testing. The testing also included expert evaluation and supervision by the Faculty of Transportation Sciences of the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU).

For the Road and Motorway Directorate of the Czech Republic, Herman has so far delivered a total of approximately 700 C-ITS units, including OBU and RVU units for passenger, freight, and special-purpose vehicles, as well as hundreds of units for advance warning and safety trailers. A significant portion of the deliveries also consisted of RSU units.


Verified real-world operational scenarios

The testing included the generation and distribution of DENM/IVI safety messages, both autonomous and centrally managed events, and verification of correct display in the HMI.


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The following scenarios were verified, among others:

  • Road Works Warning (RWW-RM) from maintenance vehicles
  • Hazardous Location Notification (e.g. slippery surface, stationary vehicle)
  • Weather Condition Warning (alerts for adverse weather conditions)
  • Warning arrow trailers – automatic event generation and driver guidance

In all cases, flawless operation of the hybrid communication was confirmed.


RSU: Stable coverage and full compatibility

Herman RSU units reliably received messages from the C-ITS Back Office and immediately broadcast them to surrounding vehicles. An exceptional outcome of the testing was the performance of Herman OBU units—the maximum distance for first message reception reached up to 2,800 meters. Such range significantly extends drivers’ reaction time and delivers a substantial increase in road traffic safety.


Conclusion

The external testing unequivocally confirmed:

  • high quality and interoperability of Herman OBU and RSU units,
  • 100% functionality of C-ITS message generation and reception,
  • robust hybrid LTE + ITS-G5 communication,
  • full integration with the central C-ITS infrastructure,
  • above-standard communication ranges.

All C-ITS units developed by Herman undergo in-house development and testing. The products are manufactured in the Czech Republic and are designed with regard to current as well as upcoming European standards for intelligent transport infrastructure.