Smart Urban access schemes
The road infrastructure network can be leveraged to create large-scale solutions that massively monitor road traffic emissions. On-road gantries already equip systems and infrastructure that can be enriched with Opus RSD systems. The integration of these technologies transforms the way urban transport is managed. Urban tolls can be implemented, charging for access to cities based on the emissions emitted by each vehicle and the flow of traffic, in real time and under 5G connectivity.
The objective
It is critical to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in most large cities. By creating solutions that prevent access to the most polluting vehicles (high-emitters), both factors can be improved, enhancing the well-being of citizens on multiple levels.
Urban tolls are the best solution to ensure that the externalities generated by the use of private vehicles (air pollution) are reflected in the cost of their use (access fee). In this way, the social cost incurred by each driver when using their vehicle is internalized.
How is it done?
Networks of sensors and intelligent systems are created throughout the city and its main access roads. The sensor networks are integrated into a unified Digital Systemand the 5G network. Through these sensor networks, vehicle accesses to cities or specifically to Low Emission Zones can be managed. The circulation of high-emitters on certain roads can be charged or denied.
The sensing network is designed and implemented for each city, according to its particularities. Due to the heterogeneity of urban mobility and that what is to be measured (vehicles) can circulate through an infinity of different routes, the network must be flexible, formed by many mobile and few fixed devices, to extend to the maximum the capacities of obtaining data, with the objective of evaluating the greater percentage of the circulating fleet in a wide range of conditions.
The following diagram shows a possible urban toll model, combining vehicle access fees by environmental label and preventing access to the most polluting vehicles:
The first pilots in Spain
An emissions remote sensing cabinet was installed at one of the accesses to the Madrid Low Emission Zone. The device operates completely autonomously. It is the first remote measurement station for remote vehicle emissions monitoring and was installed as a demonstrator in Prim Street. The station includes full digital connectivity, displaying data in real time and connecting to the Spanish Vehicle Registry database. Vehicles identified as high emitters can receive an administrative notification to require an extraordinary technical inspection. If the vehicle does not show up on time or if the emissions test in the PTI is not favorable, the vehicle's permit to access the LEZcan be rescinded.
Another fixed station is operating in Coruña. New advanced cabinets are being installed in Madrid, Barcelona and Irún, as part of UNICO 5G CRETA project. A last cabinet will be installed in Granada, as part of UNICO 5G CITYBRAIN project.
These installations include the testing of intelligent methods of access control or pricing in cities or on motorways.
