Testing in the San Diego area will evaluate the potential of cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communications in future vehicles.
by Staff
November 1, 2017
Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
2 min to read
Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Ford Motor Co. will soon collaborate with Qualcomm Technologies, AT&T and Nokia on a connected-vehicle project in the San Diego area aimed at evaluating the potential of cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communications, according to Qualcomm.
C-V2X communications are expected to help improve automotive safety, automated driving and traffic efficiency, Qualcomm said in a released statement. The testing will be conducted in Interstate 15 express lanes, on the southern segment of the South Bay Expressway, and on local streets in the city of Chula Vista.
Ad Loading...
Qualcomm Technologies' C-V2X technology encompasses vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communications, the company said.
Image courtesy of Qualcomm Technologies.
The trials, using C-V2X platforms installed in Ford vehicles, are expected to begin later this year. Other test participants include McCain Inc., a provider of intelligent transportation solutions, and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).
C-V2X allows vehicles to directly communicate with other vehicles, pedestrian devices and roadside infrastructure, such as traffic signs. C-V2X relies on the 5.9 GHz band without the need for a cellular network or subscription.
C-V2X is designed to support 360-degree non-line-of-sight awareness and extend a vehicle’s ability to see, hear and understand the environment down the road, at blind intersections, and in harsh weather conditions, according to Qualcomm. C-V2X also complements other advanced driver assistance system sensors, including cameras, radar and LiDAR.
“The advancement of cellular technology for C-V2X applications is very encouraging,” said Don Butler, executive director of connected vehicle and services at Ford. “This technology promises to meet, and in some cases exceed, the performance requirements of vehicle communication being proposed by relevant government agencies while leveraging existing in-vehicle connectivity frameworks.”
Ad Loading...
Additionally, Butler said, C-V2X provides a path to technology advancements needed to support automated driving and mobility.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.