Trial run of EMS and PT vehicle preference in Ústí nad Labem

Artikel zum Herunterladen hier.

EMS Preference

In October 2020, a trial run of regional EMS vehicle preference began in Ústí nad Labem. This is the first implementation of this preference type (EMS), there is no prior experience. As in the case of  FRS in Brno , V2X communication is secured and certificates approved on the European level are used. This prevents unauthorized use. Hybrid communication is used, messages are sent via both V2X and LTE which ensures maximum system reliability.

We cooperated with the NTD company to equip 2 intersections at the hospital in Ústí with  RSU units (Road-Side Unit) on 21.10.2020:

• Social care – Mezní (at the hospital) (K12)
• Social care – Krušnohorská (K11)

Both RSU units are connected with Cross intersection controller units.

The placement of one of the RSU units at the hospital in Ústí nad Labem. This was a new mechanical implementation.

One ambulance vehicle was equipped with an OBU unit -unit UCU 5.0V. Another vehicle was equipped in June 2021.

Ambulance where the OBU unit (unit UCU 5.0V) was installed

As both the intersections with RSU are close to the regional hospital, the EMS preference is used very often. The average number of daily runs with EMS preference is 10 for each of the intersections (the preference is active when the flashing lights are on). These probably belong to the most utilized intersections in the Czech Republic.

The results of the first two and a half months of the trial run were very interesting. Below, you can see the statistics of preference at the intersection – Social care x Krušnohorská showing the average  passage speed and the number of passages. The table clearly shows that most preferences were used when leaving the hospital. The highest speed is recorded on Bělehradská (70 km/h) because the vehicle drove straight to the hospital without having to slow down.

Statistics of passage speed – intersection K11 – Social care x Krušnohorská when coming from various sides of the intersection while using preference.

Another interesting statistical result was an increase of the average speed of the ambulance going through the intersections from  Bělehradská after the drivers got used to the system. The graph clearly shows that the speed increased by ca 10 km/hod.

The increase of intersection passage speed depending on verifying its functionality.

PT Vehicle Preference

In addition to EMS vehicle preference, we also started preference of 2 PT vehicles of Dopravní podnik města Ústí nad Labem a.s. in June 2021. The vehicles were equipped with standard UCU units for PT and with converters for “listening” to vehicle busbar data which provides the unis with the data needed for communicaton with an intersection. We are working on a more precise assesment.

PT vehicles of DPmUL, with Pt preference using UCU 5.0 units.

After less than two months of trial operation, it can be stated that it was very successful. Public transport preference through the above intersections was only via V2X communication, with a delivery reliability of more than 98% (can be further increased by supporting LTE communication or modifying the algorithms).

A graph of intersection crossings is shown below:

Number of passes of the test bus through the intersections.

Conclusion

The trial run has shown that EMS vehicles gain valuable seconds when going through the intersections and these seconds can save lives. For PT preference means saving fuel and more fluent drives. RSUs also broadcast intersection signal plans that can be received by any vehicle with V2X. This trial run of V2X communication in Ústí nad Labem offers a full set of usable urban C-ITS services.