Glossary

Informative summary of frequently asked questions about C-ITS

Comprehensive list of common C-ITS terms and abbreviations

This database provides definitions on 488 term within the ITS world in six languages. It is edited by the Technical Committee NVF53 of the Nordic Road Association.

Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems are advanced applications which aim to provide innovative services relating to different modes of transport and traffic management and enable users to be better informed and make safer, more coordinated, and 'smarter' use of transport networks

A mix of cellular short-range communication, either 3GPP Release 14 and 15 (LTE-V2X) or 3GPP Release 16 (5G related short-range communication), and cellular long-range communication.

Dedicated Short Range Communication – this term is used differently in the US and Europe. In Europe it used to refer to the European CEN DSRC tolling standards, that operates on the 5.8 GHz frequency band. In the US the term refers to ad-hoc short-range communication, no matter the frequency band.

The Hazardous Locations Notification is a C-ITS service that describes an I2V warning message related to one or a series of potentially hazardous events on the road, where the approaching road users get information and therefore warning about the location and type of hazard they are approaching and – if available – also the duration of the event.

The ‘root standard’ of ITS-G5, pWLAN (sometimes also referred to as WLANp), WAVE (US version of ITS-G5) and DSRC. The IEEE 802.11 standards are called WLAN or WiFi standards in general, the ‘p’ a particular standard for use in vehicles. IEEE is a standardisation organization and stands for Institute of Electrics and Electronical Engineers.

A wireless short-range communication technology tailor made for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, transports small data volumes extremely fast. It is standardized under ETSI EN 302 663. The name G5 is derived from the frequency band (5.9GHz), and not from 5G technology, despite the similar name. Volkswagen Group refers to ITS-G5 technology as pWLAN or WLANp.

In-Vehicle Signage is an C-ITS information service to inform road users via in-car information systems about actual static or dynamic road signs. The objectives are to increase attentive driving and increase awareness on the content of road signs.

Interchangeable terms for a future short-range communication technology based on 4G. The latest standards are the 3GPP Release 14 and 3GPP Release 15. Not yet standardised at European level.

Road works usually affect the road layout and often the driving regulations. This may lead to unsafe situations and sometimes even accidents, which involve both road users and workers. The "Road Works Warning" C-ITS service, warns road users about road works, which can be mobile or static, short-term or long-term.

The "Signalized Intersections" service provides information to road users, and vehicle data to traffic light controllers, for a safe and efficient approach and crossing of a signalised intersection(s).

Vehicle to everything communication. This term is in wide use in the US. It describes a concept rather than a defined technology.

Cellular network of the 3rd, 4th (LTE) and 5th generation.