Use of a 5G Network for a New C-ITS Service to Regulate Access to Brno’s Historic City Centre

About the Project: Use of a 5G Network for a New C-ITS Service to Regulate Access to Brno’s Historic City Centre

In the historical centre of Brno, there is an extensive pedestrian zone where access is regulated by an Automatic Barrier System (ABS), consisting of 15 profiles with retractable bollards and 6 profiles with fixed bollards only. This system allows vehicles with authorization to enter or leave the pedestrian zone according to a predefined schedule.

While this measure sufficiently covers delivery needs within the pedestrian zone, it does not meet the requirements of the Integrated Rescue System (IRS) units, which need unrestricted access to the area outside the preset schedule — and without delay. During the implementation of the project, the retractable bollards of the ABS will be connected to a communication system with vehicles, enabling automatic retraction before the arrival of approaching IRS vehicles.

Project Objectives

The main goal of the project is to protect human health and lives in the city centre by reducing the response time of the IRS. At the same time, the project will test the 5G network for communication with fast-moving vehicles transitioning between a large number of 5G base stations in a real urban environment, through the implementation of one Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) service for regulating access to Brno’s historical centre.

Project Benefits

The project will eliminate delays caused by misunderstandings during stressful situations, where the BKOM dispatcher might control a different bollard than the one needed for the IRS intervention — an issue confirmed by real-world experience. This will shorten the response time of rescue units, thereby reducing harm to people’s health and lives.

With fast data transmission and low network latency, 5G technology represents a significant technological leap forward. It will enable both the expansion of C-ITS service coverage to previously uncovered areas and the further development of transport automation, especially fully automated driving.

The proposed project is not an isolated system but will form a full-fledged part of the existing C-ITS ecosystem already operated in Brno. This system is used by Brněnské komunikace (BKOM), the Brno Transport Company (DPMB), the South Moravian Fire Rescue Service, and other road users equipped with C-ITS technology. The ecosystem continues to evolve through a range of projects in various stages of preparation, not only by increasing the number of infrastructure and vehicle units but also by improving service quality.

The project “Use of the 5G Network for a New C-ITS Service to Regulate Entrances to the Historical Centre of Brno” (registration number: CZ.31.6.0/0.0/0.0/23_087/0008902) is supported by the European Union and the National Recovery Plan (NPO) through the 2nd Call – Demonstrative Applications of the 5G Network Ecosystem for Smart Cities, Municipalities, and Regions.