Raw data from the vehicles highlighted 48,000 incidents over a period of six months, from 1.8 billion sensor signals. Incidents included heavy rain, black spots, switching on of hazard lights or fog. The disparate data from thousands of sensors was managed and analyzed through the IBM SmartCloud Enterprise service, making it possible to manage dynamically the needed computer capacity, which can vary significantly depending on whether it is a peak traffic period or an unexpected event occurs.

This information enables road officials to act in near real-time on dangerous road conditions, accidents or growing traffic density. It also informs drivers in the vicinity of an incident through smartphone or built-in navigation device.

For example, a new speed is recommended to a driver based on current weather and road conditions via a mobile app though an in-vehicle navigation system or mobile device, or the location of the closest road assistance vehicle is identified. These aspects were successfully tested in the trial. In the future, a traffic command center could provide more personalized detours, routes and traffic information to a driver to better avoid congestion.

The trial successfully showed that anonymous information from vehicles can be analyzed by local traffic authorities to resolve road network issues faster, reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. By receiving the information in real time, road authorities can utilize mobile technologies to immediately deploy emergency response teams and road workers to resolve issues. Traffic center staff can promptly respond and manage traffic flows away from accidents and dangerous traffic situations.

—Ab Oosting, European Union project manager for the Collaborative Region of Eindhoven SRE

This pilot is one of several initiatives the city region of Eindhoven (SRE) has begun to improve mobility in the region. In an earlier six-month road pricing trial conducted by the city, IBM and NXP, advanced road pricing technology was successfully used to incentivize drivers to change their driving behavior, reduce road congestion and contribute to a greener environment. Seventy percent of drivers changed their behavior to avoid rush-hour travel when presented with the right incentives, demonstrating that road pricing systems can have a positive effect on driving habits and help alleviate traffic.

SRE is located at the hub of several international transportation routes, where relatively small incidents can have major consequences for the system as a whole.

In 2011, approximately 30,000 people were killed in the European Union as a consequence of collisions in traffic. The European Commission recently adopted an ambitious Road Safety Program, which aims to cut traffic deaths in Europe between 2011 and 2020 by 50%. The 12-month trial was designed to provide the regional government with insights to maintain roads, reduce traffic congestion and increase road safety.

With greater connectivity, today’s automobiles generate a vast amount of data that can be used to enhance the driving experience, while improving traffic condition and road safety. For example, with IBM MobileFirst, which combines the power of mobile and cloud-enabled technologies, the same sensors that alert drivers about low tire pressure or broken lights can also automatically provide insight into traffic patterns.