New York, New York - Engineers from Honda will demonstrate an advanced vehicle-to-vehicle communications system that helps vehicles avoid collisions with one another as part of Honda’s participation in the 15th annual World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems. The working prototype will be demonstrated on a public road in front of the Jacob Javits Center in New York from November 17 to 20.

Intelligent Transportation Systems are aimed at improving transportation through better safety and mobility, as well as enhancing productivity through the use of a broad range of advanced information and communications technologies.

The system will be demonstrated on an Acura RL sedan and is designed to showcase the potential for inter-vehicle communications as a means to reduce vehicle collisions at intersections. The system uses autonomous sensors and vehicle-to-vehicle radio communication to warn drivers of potential dangers at intersections where the driver’s view of an oncoming vehicle is obstructed by buildings, trees, fences or large trucks. In the event of an impending collision, the system can provide audio, visual and tactile alerts to the driver.

A key enabler of the system is the Dedicated Short Range Communications (DRSC) system, which allows each vehicle to broadcast a “heartbeat” signal that includes key information such as speed, acceleration and brake status, which can be detected and interpreted by other vehicles in close proximity.