As an important segment of smart traffic, the construction of smart highways constitutes an important foundation for implementing the strategy of building a strong country through better transportation. Based on the Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data analysis and other technologies, the platform has established a sound infrastructure monitoring system, an intelligent road network operation perception system, a reliable communication resource support system, a real-time forecast and early warning system, an efficient emergency response system and a comprehensive travel service system to achieve smart perception, smart management, smart service, operation management, and emergency response in the service of public transportation. Smart highways provide safer and smoother road network traffic, more expedient and pleasant travel experience, more efficient and intelligent management, and greener and more economical transportation.

Multivariate Data Acquisition of Integrated Smart Highway Management Platform 

I. Digitalization of Infrastructure

We use 3D measurable virtual reality technology, high-precision maps, and Internet of Things technology for the digital acquisition, management and application of various highway facilities. We have built a dynamic highway facility and asset management system to collect various data on vehicles, roads, and weather for intelligent monitoring and early warning of traffic incidents, providing accurate, real-time and comprehensive overview of the highways, each road section, each vehicle and each structure. Bridges, tunnels, slopes and other structures are included into the intelligent sensor network for infrastructure monitoring, providing comprehensive perception, analysis and early warning of the safety status of the transportation infrastructure.

II. Comprehensive Application of Beidou High-Precision Positioning

Beidou high-precision infrastructure was built to provide full signal coverage in demonstration road sections (including tunnels) and implement long-term reliable monitoring and early warning for disaster-prone sections. An integrated Beidou highway emergency rescue management system was built based on the Beidou high-precision positioning highway toll collection application, providing rapid positioning of vehicle and personnel as well as dynamic dispatch and regional coordination of rescue forces.

III. Smart Service Area IT System

In order to improve the quality of public travel services, we have built a smart integrated service area management system to standardize operation management, boost service capability, innovate processes and systems, optimize facility setting, and improve service management systems. We strive to modernize service areas by the standard of “proper layout, reasonable price, practical use, clear signs, standardized service in safe, organized and environmental-friendly style” to meet the public's needs for diversified high-quality services. We hope to build service areas into "a warm service window, a safe harbor, a cultural promotion front, a travel service platform, and an emergency response station".

IV. Integrated Vehicle-Road Transport Collaboration

The intelligent upgrade of the highway roadside system and the integrated vehicle-road transport collaboration introduce 5G communication technology to provide extremely low latency broadband wireless communication for intelligent roadside base station system application, vehicle-road information interaction, risk monitoring and early warning, traffic flow monitoring and analysis, etc. Benefited from the advantages of 5G communication technology, such as ultra-high bandwidth, low latency, and large capacity, the platform deploys convoy driving control for self-driving passenger vehicles in demonstration road sections under 5G environment and establishes a feeder system for self-driving vehicles.

(5) Integrated Big Data-Based Road Network Management

Based on big data, we have built an intelligent management and decision-making platform for highway operation and services for regional road network overall information acquisition, operation dispatch, toll collection, asset operation and maintenance, public information service, and emergency response command. Based on real-time perception and early warning and prediction, the platform provides real-time analysis and real-time decision-making of daily events and emergencies on highways, to ensure the safety of daily highway operation, serve public transport needs, and promote the scientific development of the highway industry. UAVs and other mobile means are used to improve operation monitoring and emergency response capabilities. The platform introduces new media, public information reports and other channels to achieve interactive field information collection. We have also integrated Internet data and industry-related data into the construction of a road network operation monitoring system.

(6) "Internet +" Comprehensive Road Network Services

The platform adopts "Internet +" technology to realize no-stop mobile payment based on vehicle feature recognition. We provide mobile Internet-based value-added services, such as parking and charging guidance and appointment in service areas. We also provide precise weather perception and prediction, vehicle-road collaboration safety support services, etc. The MaaS-based smart highway system facilitates the integrated development of comprehensive transportation, industrial development, ecological protection, living environment improvement, and communication infrastructure construction.

The Future of Smart Highway