Whilst Peachtree Corners might sound like some quaint little hideaway in Georgia, USA, it is in fact home to many of the most cutting-edge advances in smart city solutions anywhere on the planet, with Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything tech (C-V2X) the latest breakthrough to be road-tested there.
Part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, the City of Peachtree Corners boasts one of the USA’s most advanced smart city ecosystems, with connected technologies actively being developed and deployed in real-world conditions.
Its Curiosity Lab showcases developers and companies enabling the future, with smart connected solutions deployed community-wide, placing the region in the vanguard of next-generation, Internet of Things (IoT) tech.
Working together there to deploy the innovative smart city solutions, Jacobs, Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc are focusing initially on roadside infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, with the implementation of Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology.
As a part of the programme, the city will work with Commsignia to feature roadside units (RSUs) equipped with Qualcomm Technologies’ C-V2X solution. Utility vehicles equipped C-V2X solutions will also be utilised to demonstrate vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) direct communications.
Qualcomm Technologies serves as ecosystem enabler by providing technology solutions, while Jacobs manages the installation commission project delivery. The programme aims to demonstrate the continued momentum of smart cities and spaces, with Peachtree Corners serving as a model for other municipalities as they look to deploy smart solutions.
In its build-out of progressive smart city solutions, this real-world deployment exhibits key value and leadership attributes, says Sanjeet Pandit, senior director, business development and global head of Smart Cities, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc:
“This C-V2X programme with the Curiosity Lab and Jacobs not only highlights the ability to implement digital road infrastructure to optimise traffic and enable safer streets across global cities, but our continued commitment to offer advanced solutions for traffic safety. This project is paving the way as an example of what communities can replicate and I expect these advanced end-to-end solutions to be an integral part of future smart city and connected spaces rollouts.”
The project brings together expertise in both physical planning and digital tech, adds Jacobs People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President and Regional Director Tom Meinhart:
“In addition to procuring, installing and testing the Internet of Things infrastructure, we’re bringing planning expertise to help Peachtree Corners realise its smart city vision. From procurement to closeout, Jacobs and our partners work to improve safety and connectivity, while enhancing digital infrastructure and smart capabilities in the city.”
C-V2X direct communication is designed to serve as a key feature for safety and mobility applications. Additionally, C-V2X aids in enabling cleaner and more sustainable mobility alternatives, as the technology is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 5-20%, according to the 5GAA.
C-V2X is globally compatible with 5G networks and complements other Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors, such as cameras, radar and Light Detection and Radar (LIDAR). The C-V2X direct communications is designed to offer vehicles low-latency communications for vehicles to broadcast to other vehicles, roadside infrastructure and, in the future and with further optimisations, to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. It does this without the involvement of a cellular network, or cellular network subscription, by operating in globally harmonised 5.9 GHz ITS spectrum.
The technology deployed opens up multiple opportunities for the future, concludes Brandon Branham, assistant city manager and chief technology officer of Peachtree Corners:
“We’ve always stressed the importance of smart connected infrastructure to support all parts of an ecosystem — from autonomous vehicles and shuttles deployed for residents, pedestrians crossing the road, smart traffic management, public safety to other areas of everyday life. Qualcomm Technologies’ industry-leading C-V2X technologies will greatly elevate our infrastructure, making it second-to-none for both technology developers and our residents as we connect more of society and business.”
Through its Smart Cities Accelerator Program, Qualcomm Technologies has acted as a catalyst in enabling end-to-end smart deployments and the digital transformation of smart cities and smart connected spaces globally. Peachtree Corners intends to roll out additional smart solutions in the future by collaborating with Qualcomm Technologies smart cities ecosystem and Qualcomm® IoT Services Suite verticals.
As one of the world’s leading wireless technology innovators and driver behind the development, launch, and expansion of 5G, Qualcomm is working to bring the benefits of mobile to new industries, including automotive, IoT and computing.
The City of Peachtree Corners, Georgia and Curiosity Lab
As the heart of what is being called #SiliconOrchard in the metro-Atlanta region, Peachtree Corners, Georgia is a vibrant municipality that is home to more than 45,000 residents and an innovation hub that houses some of the world’s most disruptive technology companies.
As the premier US smart city powered by real-world connected infrastructure and 5G, Peachtree Corners serves as a model for how government and private industry can better collaborate to create a better future for society and business. Peachtree Corners is where the most future-forward IoT and sustainable technologies come to life: from the world’s first deployment of tele-operated e-scooters, to fully autonomous shuttles being utilised by actual residents; or from a solar roadway to the largest electric vehicle charging hub in the region.
Curiosity Lab is a 5G-enabled autonomous vehicle and smart city living laboratory located in Peachtree Corners. The centerpiece of the lab is a 1.5-mile test and demo track which provides a real-world environment to explore emerging technologies. Additional infrastructure includes a network operations centre, smart poles, DSRC units, dedicated fibre and a 25,000 square foot tech incubator.
Further Reading:
- More about the Peachtree C-V2X project, via Qualcomm;
- More about Jacobs, Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc;
- More in general about Curiosity Lab; and City of Peachtree Corners;
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