Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Communication

Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication is a communication technology that enables information exchange between intelligent connected vehicles and road infrastructure. As a core pillar of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), it is designed to enhance road safety, traffic efficiency, and sustainability through real-time data sharing.

How It Works

At its core, V2I communication relies on seamless data exchange between vehicles and Roadside Units (RSUs) . Deployed across traffic lights, roadside signage, and toll plazas, these RSUs capture real-time traffic data and establish two-way communication with passing vehicles via Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) or Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technologies.

Key Application Scenarios

V2I technology is progressively being integrated into real-world transport networks, with key applications including:

• Optimising Traffic Flow: Through "Green Wave Speed Guidance", roadside infrastructure transmits real-time traffic light phases and countdown timers to the vehicle. The onboard system computes an advisory speed, allowing drivers to clear junctions smoothly on green lights without stopping, cutting energy consumption by around 10% and ensuring uninterrupted journeys.

• Elevating Driving Safety: This serves as the cornerstone of V2I technology. Roadside sensors allow vehicles to "see" blind spots and hazards beyond the reach of their onboard sensors, such as obscured vehicles or pedestrians dashing into traffic. In "Cooperative Autonomous Emergency Braking (C-AEB)" scenarios, the system delivers early warnings and actively initiates braking, with data indicating an accident risk reduction of over 30%.

Industry Development in China

China is advancing rapidly in the deployment of V2I technology, transitioning from pilot demonstrations to mandatory widespread adoption.

• Policy-Driven Implementation: Under the latest national regulatory standards, all newly registered commercial buses, heavy goods vehicles, and prime movers must be factory-fitted with direct-connection C-V2X On-Board Units (OBUs). This mandatory fitment policy directly tackles low penetration rates on the vehicle side, clearing the path for large-scale vehicle-road collaborative networks.

• Accelerated Infrastructure Rollout: Nationwide, 20 pilot cities for "Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration"—including Beijing, Shanghai, Wuxi, and Wuhan—are aggressively expanding their roadside infrastructure. For instance, Beijing Yizhuang has achieved full functional coverage over a 60-square-kilometre area, whilst Wuxi has upgraded traffic lights across more than 1,700 junctions with intelligent systems.

Technology Trends and Future Outlook

V2I technology is converging with cloud-control platforms to create a unified "Vehicle-Road-Cloud" ecosystem. By aggregating extensive data streams from roadside infrastructure and connected vehicles, cloud platforms leverage high-performance computing to handle macro-level traffic coordination and broadcast actionable instructions, providing autonomous driving systems with comprehensive situational awareness and collaborative decision-making capabilities.