In a notable advancement for traffic monitoring technology, the OpenTrafficMap initiative has gained traction with the introduction of the ESP32-C5 C-ITS receiver board. This innovative device utilizes 802.11p / ITS-G5 V2X communication over the 5.9 GHz WiFi 6 spectrum to enhance traffic management capabilities, allowing users to visualize detected nodes on the OpenTrafficMap website.
Innovative Developments in Traffic Management
Peter Holzhauser, known in the community as Pit711, has taken significant steps by forking the original firmware of the ESP32-C5 C-ITS receiver. His efforts have led to the successful porting of this firmware to the Waveshare ESP32-C5-WIFI6-KIT development board, which now boasts added Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) streaming capabilities. Complementing this hardware, Holzhauser has also developed the V2X2MAP open-source Android app, designed specifically to interface seamlessly with the board. This is particularly relevant as standard 5GHz WiFi on smartphones typically does not support 802.11p communication.
The ESP32-C5 C-ITS receiver board is equipped with an ESP32-C5-WROOM-1 module, a GPS module, and an Ethernet port with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities. The V2X2MAP project, on the other hand, capitalizes on the ubiquity of recent Android smartphones featuring USB OTG ports and GPS functionality. This allows users to connect various ESP32-C5 boards and monitor live traffic within a range of several hundred meters to kilometers. The application provides real-time data on traffic lights, public transport, and other vehicles equipped with 802.11p V2X communication.
Specifically, the V2X2MAP app captures signals transmitted by vehicles’ on-board units (OBUs) and roadside units (RSUs) operating on the dedicated 5.9 GHz V2X band. The information collected includes:
- CAM (Cooperative Awareness): GPS coordinates and speed of vehicles.
- DENM (Decentralised Environmental Notification): Alerts such as “hazard ahead!”
- SPATEM (Signal Phase + Timing): Countdown timers for traffic lights.
- MAPEM (Map Extended Message): Information regarding intersection geometry.
This functionality enables the app to update maps offline once the necessary data is downloaded, while also offering the option to refresh data via MQTT to cits1.opentrafficmap.org or a personal server. Users can even record data for analysis in tools like Wireshark.
The source code for the firmware, the V2X2MAP Android app, and a Python bridge along with a local dashboard are all accessible on GitHub, complete with comprehensive documentation for building from source. Notably, some of the code has been generated with the assistance of Claude AI, and all components are released under an MIT license.
The firmware has been successfully adapted for the Waveshare ESP32-C5-WIFI6-KIT, which is available for purchase at a modest price of to across platforms like AliExpress, Amazon, and the Waveshare shop. For those familiar with the ESP-IDF framework, porting the firmware to other ESP32-C5 boards should be a straightforward task. However, it is essential to note that dual-band WiFi, specifically the 5.9 GHz band, is a prerequisite, rendering it incompatible with other ESP32 models.
A legal disclaimer included in the README cautions users that receiving and forwarding ITS-G5 radio data may be subject to national telecommunications and data protection laws. The Android app also presents a disclaimer upon first launch, emphasizing that users proceed at their own risk. Notably, the primary concern revolves around GDPR compliance when contributing data to the public map.
It is worth mentioning that ITS-G5 is predominantly a European standard for 802.11p V2X communication, which is part of the broader C-ITS (Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems) framework. In contrast, many other regions rely on C-V2X (Cellular V2X) technology. Thus, while the V2X2MAP app may be utilized legally in various countries, users outside of Europe may find themselves somewhat isolated in their endeavors.
Further information regarding this project can be explored on its dedicated website.
