Toyota Australia has announced an exciting partnership with global transport company Transurban, to collaborate on a trial of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) technology to help make Australian roads safer.

The trial uses the latest HiLux model specially fitted with next-generation hardware and software, capable of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication to help improve traffic flow and road safety.

Having commenced in August, the main focus of the jointly developed trial is to improve safety outcomes when merging onto a motorway, the situation with one of the highest potentials to cause accidents and traffic congestion on our roads.

The Toyota C-ITS technology utilises Transurban’s proprietary traffic system which uses AI camera detection to determine traffic density, location and speed.

This information is then shared with the vehicles’ C-ITS systems to notify drivers of any speed discrepancies between the vehicle and the surrounding traffic, as well as the presence of other road users in the vehicle’s blind spot.

Not only does the advanced technology help to improve safety for all road users when merging, it can also help improve traffic flow. The aim of the trial is to develop technologies which can be used in modern vehicles today and automated vehicles in the future to improve road safety outcomes for all.

Testing is taking place in Port Melbourne at the Cook St on-ramp inbound and will run through to September.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the trial would provide valuable learnings for both Toyota Australia and Transurban.

“Partnering with Transurban allows Toyota Australia to test exciting new technologies in real-world situations on some of our most frequently travelled roads,” Mr Hanley said.

“Technologies like the Merge Assist feature being trialled will help in the development of future automated driving capabilities, which will help improve safety outcomes for all, in particular on motorways.”

Transurban Group Executive of Operations Dave Clements said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to using innovation to drive safer and smarter transport outcomes.

“We’re always looking at ways to make journeys safer and more reliable for the communities who use our roads,” Mr Clements said.

“This partnership allows us to explore how connected vehicle technologies can complement our existing traffic management systems to reduce crash risk and improve traffic flow.”

Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA) has previously participated in C-ITS trials via Lexus, testing V2X technologies to provide various benefits including the detection of unseen vehicles and pedestrians, upcoming roadworks and traffic, and communication with trams, ambulances and traffic lights.