The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has selected Siemens to deliver the latest vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technology for a new connected vehicle (CV) pilot project in Tampa, Florida.

A member of the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) team, Siemens will provide the V2I technology in the region to enable vehicles and pedestrians to communicate with traffic infrastructure such as intersections and traffic lights.

Vehicles and pedestrians will be able to communicate in real-time, which will help reduce congestion during peak traffic hours.

The innovative technology will also be able to enhance road safety, along with reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"This innovative project will prove the efficiency, safety and environmental benefits of Connected Vehicles."

In collaboration with THEA, Siemens is working on several ways to implement CV technologies. The company intends to deploy intelligent traffic signal systems that would respond to traffic conditions in real-time, as well as signal priority.

Curve speed warnings will warn drivers when they are approaching a curve at a high and unsafe speed, while transit bus operator would prevent collisions of vehicles or pedestrians with a bus.

Siemens also intends to provide automated calls or audio cues to help impaired pedestrians safely move on crosswalks.

Intersection Movement Assistance technology will prevent drivers from entering intersections when it is unsafe, and probe-enabled traffic monitoring technology will help transmit real-time traffic data between vehicles.

Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems CEO Marcus Welz said: "This innovative project will prove the efficiency, safety and environmental benefits of Connected Vehicles and will be an important step in bringing these intelligent technologies to cities and communities across the US."

This project will enable USDOT to develop new technology, data and baselines that would be completely compatible with crash avoidance systems of new cars.