Establishing a “smart mobility” network in Hong Kong is a crucial step in developing the region’s smart city capabilities. To this end, the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) announced that it will enter the second phase of road testing of the Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) Technology.
In this test, ASTRI will collaborate with a China-based consumer electronics company to research and test application scenarios, required networks and related infrastructure of C-V2X technology on Hong Kong roads. These tests are aimed at promoting smart mobility, improving road safety and traffic efficiency and enabling the development of future connected autonomous vehicles.
The second phase of the C-V2X road test will last for about 9 months. The total length is 14 kilometres from the Science Park to the city centre of Shatin. ASTRI has also invited public transport vehicles on the road to participate in the testing. ASTRI will also post stickers on the road and passing citizens will be able to see them, enabling the transmission of information and improved data collection.
Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) refers to the real-time information transmission between vehicles and vehicles, vehicles and pedestrians, vehicles and road infrastructure, and vehicles and networks so that people, vehicles and road infrastructure are connected and coordinated, and road users receive road status and warnings in real-time to enhance road safety and assist driving. Following ASTRI’s completion of the first phase of the C-V2X road test in 2021, valid data were obtained. This time, the test will further improve the performance of C-V2X, which is conducive to continuously expanding C-V2X to other regions and the Greater Bay Area in the future.
The Chairman of ASTRI stated that the Hong Kong government’s goal in recent years has been to develop the region into a smart city. As 5G technology has grown in popularity, more innovative application technologies will be nurtured rapidly. C-V2X technology is the most promising project in the transportation sector.
He added that C-V2X technology plays a significant role in either improving road safety or solving such problems as traffic congestion caused by urbanisation. Looking ahead, C-V2X can better enhance the development of autonomous driving technology, and further, improve the safety of autonomous driving and the public trust in autonomous driving technology.
The Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI stated that Hong Kong is a gateway city that connects mainland China, and transportation is a crucial element. This C-V2X test will provide a valuable reference for the development of related technologies in the Greater Bay Area in the future.
ASTRI intends to expand related technologies to the Greater Bay Area market. C-V2X technology is the prominent step to achieving smart city development, and ASTRI intends to make Hong Kong become a model of a smart city through the improvement of C-V2X technology, he added.
Meanwhile, the President of the tech firm’s Solutions and Services Group stated that the company is delighted to collaborate with ASTRI, Hong Kong’s leading R&D centre for information and communications technologies. The partnership will see the tech firm contribute to improving the quality of life of Hong Kong’s residents.
He added that the company’s end-to-end solutions enable cities around the world to become smarter, safer, and more sustainable. Recently, the tech giant deployed various smart city solutions in cities from Beijing to Barcelona. The company looks forward to working closely with ASTRI to enhance Hong Kong’s urban mobility through development such as C-V2X, which will bring better road safety and travel efficiency for all.
