Lexus Drives On-road Connected Safety Project

Lexus is reinforcing its leadership in automotive safety by participating in Australia's largest on-road connected-vehicle project aimed at eliminating crashes or mitigating their effects.

The Queensland Government's Ipswich Connected Vehicle Pilot is a ground-breaking development that enables sensors installed at 29 intersections to "talk" to vehicles equipped with Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) technology.

Using radio waves, the technology is designed to provide drivers with advance information of road conditions including changes to speed limits, hazards on the road ahead and even that a pedestrian will be crossing a nearby intersection.

Two Lexus RX 450h F Sport SUVs have been fitted with sensitive DSRC equipment that enables them to communicate with each other and with roadside infrastructure such as traffic lights.

The Ipswich pilot also involves fitting DSRC technology to 500 cars owned by the general public, enabling their vehicles to communicate with the infrastructure.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey welcomed Lexus Australia's involvement in the pilot.

"It's great to see major car manufacturers get involved in the testing of connected vehicle technology in Australia, especially in the Ipswich pilot as the preferred testing site," Mr. Bailey said.

"The support of manufacturers like Lexus will enable experts to gather data on additional safety scenarios involving vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity, such as emergency electronic braking warnings and slow, or stopped vehicle warnings."

Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson said combining DSRC technologies with the advanced Lexus safety systems provided a major opportunity to alert drivers to an even broader range of potentially dangerous situations.

"Our local engineering team, working closely with the Queensland Government, will assess the effectiveness of intelligent transport systems while expanding our understanding of driver acceptance of these technologies," Mr. Thompson said.

"Lexus Australia is proud to contribute to a project that - as well as being designed to save lives - can also reduce congestion, cut fuel consumption and help the environment - all while making driving more enjoyable.

"Through our participation, we are taking advances in safety technology out of the laboratory and putting them where they belong - on our streets."