Offloading platooning applications from 5.9 GHz V2X to Radar Communications: effects on safety and efficiency

TL;DR

This paper explores replacing traditional 5.9 GHz V2X communications with Radar-Based Communication (RadCom) in heavy-duty vehicle platooning, demonstrating improvements in channel efficiency, safety, and energy use.

Contribution

It introduces RadCom as an offloading solution for V2X spectrum, showing its effectiveness in enhancing network reliability and safety in platooning scenarios.

Findings

RadCom reduces channel occupation significantly.

RadCom improves network reliability in heavy-duty vehicle platooning.

RadCom enables shorter, safer inter-vehicle distances.

Abstract

V2X communications are nowadays performed at 5.9\,GHz spectrum, either using WiFi-based or Cellular technology. The channel capacity is limited, and congestion control regulates the number of messages that can enter the medium. With user rate growing, overloading becomes a factor that might affect road safety and traffic efficiency. The present paper evaluates the potential of using Radar-Based Communication (RadCom) for offloading the V2X spectrum. We consider a heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) platooning scenario as a case of maneuver coordination where local messages are transmitted by means of RadCom at different penetration rates. Simulations show significant improvements in channel occupation and network reliability. As a result, RadCom allows for shorter safe and energy efficient inter-vehicle distances.