The proliferation of sensing devices in vehicles, transportation infrastructure, and urban environments is revolutionizing how we move people and goods. As distributed sensors become interconnected and powered by AI, collaborative sensing is emerging as a transformative trend for next-generation transportation systems.

This research topic, co-led by a key contributor to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies Report which featured this theme, explores the integration of collaborative sensing systems into transportation networks, with the aim of making urban mobility safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable.

Key Areas of Investigation:

o Dynamic Traffic Optimization: How can networks of connected sensors—from traffic lights and cameras to environmental monitors—use shared data to address congestion, reduce emissions, and optimize citywide traffic flow?

o Enhanced Road Safety: What architectures and protocols enable vehicles and infrastructure to exchange critical safety information in real time, preventing accidents and improving incident response?

o Autonomous and Cooperative Navigation: In what ways can collaborative sensing advance the effectiveness of autonomous vehicles, particularly through data fusion from road infrastructure, other vehicles, drones, and edge AI systems?

o Scalable Infrastructure: How can collaborative sensing reduce costs through more targeted maintenance and smart resource allocation, lowering the need for constant infrastructure expansion?

o Privacy and Security: What methods can ensure that data sharing between sensors, vehicles, and infrastructure is both secure and respects user privacy?

o Multimodal Data Fusion: How can AI and machine learning algorithms combine disparate sensor inputs (e.g., LiDAR, radar, cameras, environmental sensors) for robust decision-making in complex urban settings?

This topic represents a critical research frontier for smart cities and intelligent transportation. New regulatory frameworks such as the US FCC's 5.9 GHz band for C-V2X and similar initiatives globally are accelerating adoption, but challenges remain in power efficiency, bandwidth minimization, and secure data sharing. Emerging research suggests that generative AI and large language models could further advance collaborative navigation and predictive analytics within these networks.

Research in this area will inform the development of scalable, flexible, and resilient transportation systems capable of adapting in real time to both everyday fluctuations and emergency situations. Outcomes have the potential to dramatically reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions, decrease accident rates, and create a foundation for truly autonomous urban mobility.

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Collaborative Sensing for Intelligent Transportation Systems