Car2X – How modern technology contributes to greater road safety

Modern vehicles are far more than just a means of transportation – they are connected data hubs on four wheels. More and more cars today exchange information with their surroundings in real time. A key role in this development is played by Car2X technology, which enables vehicles to communicate with each other and with traffic infrastructure.

This exchange of data is more than just a technical gimmick. It is about increasing road safety, detecting hazardous situations early, and significantly improving traffic flow.

Car2X refers to the direct communication between vehicles and their surroundings – including other vehicles, road users, and infrastructure elements such as traffic lights or traffic management systems. In this process, vehicles exchange data in real time with one another and with the surrounding infrastructure. The goal of Car2X technology is to alert drivers early to hazards, accidents, or traffic disruptions, thereby significantly improving road safety.

As part of the development towards connected vehicles, Car2X enables information about critical situations in the surroundings to be transmitted within seconds. Car2X thus forms an important foundation for the mobility of the future.

Car2X is based on the wireless exchange of data between vehicles and their environment. Two technologies are at the forefront: WLANp (IEEE 802.11p) and 5G V2X. While WLANp was developed specifically for communication over short distances, 5G V2X promises significantly greater range, higher data rates and lower latency. This means information is transmitted almost in real time – an essential prerequisite for use in fast-paced road traffic.

In the vehicle itself, a combination of sensors, software, and modern radio technology ensures that relevant data is recorded, processed, and forwarded. Cameras, radar and lidar systems, for example, detect dangerous situations, while Car2X control units process this information and send it to other vehicles or traffic infrastructure.

Car2X connectivity opens up new possibilities for detecting potential road hazards early and offers several benefits for road safety.

One of the biggest advantages of Car2X lies in the early detection of hazardous situations. Vehicles are informed about obstacles, roadworks or icy conditions even before they come into view. This allows drivers to react in time and avoid dangerous manoeuvres.

Through continuous connectivity, Car2X systems significantly improve traffic flow. Vehicles receive information about traffic light phases or the end of a traffic jam and can adjust their speed accordingly. This reduces sudden braking, lowers emissions, and ensures an overall smoother movement of traffic.

In high-traffic conditions or when visibility is poor, Car2X actively supports drivers. Warnings about sudden braking by vehicles ahead or hazard alerts at intersections help reduce stress and focus attention.

Car2X also holds great potential at the level of cities and municipalities: the collected traffic data can be used to optimise traffic light sequences, identify dangerous road sections, and specifically further develop traffic infrastructure. In the long term, this leads to safer and more efficient traffic networks.

The VW Golf 8 Car2X was the first production vehicle in Europe to be equipped with this innovative technology. The all-electric Volkswagen ID.3 also comes with Car2X as standard. VW is one of the pioneers in this field, but more and more manufacturers are following suit and offering Car2X as standard equipment or an optional feature.

Car2X technology is still in its early stages. The introduction of 5G V2X communication plays a key role in ushering in a new era of vehicle connectivity.

• Development towards nationwide 5G Car2X communication: Most Car2X systems are still based on WLANp, but the expansion of 5G V2X is progressing rapidly. Nationwide 5G networks offer more stable, faster and more reliable communication – even in highly dynamic hazardous situations.
• Opportunities for autonomous vehicles: Autonomous vehicles rely on real-time information about traffic flow, danger spots and other road users. 5G enables direct, rapid data exchange and thus supports safe and coordinated autonomous driving.

• Importance for the advancement of technology and road safety: With 5G V2X, road traffic evolves into a cooperative network. This helps to reduce accidents, optimise traffic flows, and realise new mobility concepts and smart city applications.

Car2X technology is becoming an important component for greater road safety and more efficient traffic flow. Through direct communication between vehicles and traffic infrastructure, danger spots can be recognised more quickly, accidents avoided, and complex traffic situations better managed. Especially with the further expansion of 5G V2X communication, new opportunities are emerging for the integration of autonomous vehicles and the optimisation of urban mobility.

As one of the leading providers in the field of IoT connectivity and 5G infrastructure, Telekom plays a central role in implementing Car2X communication. With its specially developed IoT solutions and powerful 5G networks, it creates the technical prerequisites to enable real-time networking between vehicles, traffic lights, sensors and other traffic elements.

Through the combination of high network quality, specialised IoT tariffs and intelligent IoT platforms, Telekom supports both automobile manufacturers and cities and municipalities in implementing safe and efficient traffic solutions.