Columbus Will Build “Smart Intersection” with Goal of Improving Safety and Traffic Flow

Columbus, Ohio is receiving a “smart” or “intelligent” intersection using advanced technology that relies on sensors, cameras, radar, and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) to improve safety and traffic flow at a selected test intersection.  The intersection technology rollout is part of the city’s “Smart Columbus” transportation initiative and will implement technology designed by Continental Corporation.

Continental’s “intelligent intersection” utilizes cameras, radar, and LiDAR to detect every road user in the area and deliver the relevant objects to approaching vehicles equipped with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology via a short-range communication unit. The vehicle onboard technology receives the detected objects and can take appropriate action if a threat or “vulnerable road user” such as a pedestrian or bicyclist is entering the intersection.

The technology is predicted to reduce a number of intersection accidents such as improper left turns in front of an approaching vehicle.  The Department of Transportation has estimated that 51% of injury-related accidents occur at intersections.

More information about the technology and its benefits is available on Continental Corporation's website.

Image by Continental Corporation.