The City of Bellevue, renowned for its digital innovation, has partnered with T-Mobile to launch a collaborative project utilizing Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology and T-Mobile’s 5G network. The initiative aims to facilitate near real-time communication between vehicles, traffic infrastructure, pedestrians, and cyclists, in support of Bellevue’s Vision Zero program, which seeks to eliminate road-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.
T-Mobile will contribute cellular connectivity, C-V2X equipment, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, integration support, and comprehensive testing, while the City of Bellevue will employ these resources to implement and assess various C-V2X use cases focused on identifying and safeguarding individuals on the road.
The project capitalizes on T-Mobile’s reliable and low-latency 5G network, enabling vehicles and traffic systems to exchange information and alerts regarding pedestrians and cyclists in near real-time, even in situations beyond direct line of sight. As part of the initiative, a mobile application will be made available for Bellevue road users to download.
The app will provide drivers with early visual and audible warnings concerning potential road hazards, thereby enhancing safety and awareness. Initially, the C-V2X technology will be deployed in scenarios involving reduced speed zones, school zone flashing beacons, mid-block pedestrian crossings, and signalized intersections.
Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the city’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the well-being of residents, workers, and visitors. T-Mobile’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, John Saw, highlighted the company’s role in improving public safety and its aspiration to positively impact communities beyond Bellevue.
In addition to this local initiative, T-Mobile is actively engaged in the U.S. Department of Transportation National Roadway Safety Strategy Allies in Action campaign, collaborating with the City of Bellevue and demonstrating their joint dedication to reducing fatalities and severe injuries on American roads.
The development and prototyping of these C-V2X solutions took place at T-Mobile’s 5G Hub, an innovation center located in Bellevue’s Spring District. The 5G Hub serves as a collaborative space for T-Mobile to partner with developers and stakeholders, fostering the creation of cutting-edge wireless solutions.
T-Mobile, known for its leadership in 5G technology, boasts the largest, fastest, and most acclaimed 5G network in the United States. Their network covers 326 million people across 2 million square miles, surpassing the coverage of both AT&T and Verizon combined. With T-Mobile’s Ultra Capacity 5G reaching 275 million people nationwide, the company plans to extend its coverage to 300 million people this year, constituting nearly the entire population of the country.