Group photo with partners of the RSU-Test project (Photo: Vincent Wodowski, TechBase Regensburg GmbH)
A new project is launching at the “R_Lab Mobilität” real-world laboratory in Regensburg. The project will test so-called Car-to-X (C2X) communication. This technology enables vehicles to exchange data in real time with other road users and with traffic infrastructure - such as traffic lights. At the University Hospital of Regensburg (UKR), a so-called Roadside Unit (RSU) is being installed at a traffic light for the first time. This system can communicate directly with an emergency vehicle equipped with a special transmitter unit (onboard unit). The goal is to control traffic lights in such a way that emergency vehicles can navigate traffic more quickly and safely, and that life-saving transports can be carried out even more efficiently.
The Road-Side-Unit is being tested at the traffic light intersection of Uniklinikum West and Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee, while the onboard testing is being conducted using the University Hospital Regensburg’s so-called ECMO-Mobil. The ECMO-Mobil is a specialized emergency vehicle that delivers a mobile heart-lung support system (ECMO) directly to the patient, typically in cases of cardiac arrest. “In ECMO missions, every minute truly counts. If we can save even a few minutes through intelligent traffic control, that can be decisive for patient outcomes,” explains Bernhard Graf, Deputy Medical Director of the University Hospital of Regensburg. “The project offers us the opportunity to test innovative technology specifically for better emergency care.”
Several specialized partners are collaborating on the technical implementation: Stührenberg GmbH is installing the Road-Side Unit on-site. “We are pleased to contribute with our RSU technology to helping emergency vehicles navigate traffic more safely and quickly,” says Rainer Jilek, Senior Development Strategy Manager at Stührenberg GmbH. The Onboard Unit in the ECMO-Mobil is provided by consider it GmbH. “With our OBU, we’re demonstrating how vehicle-to-infrastructure communication can work in practice - an important step toward connected, intelligent mobility solutions,” adds Leutrim Mustafa, a member of the management team at consider it GmbH.
Real-world lab as an innovation platform for the smart city
The RSU test at the UKR is being implemented as part of R_Lab Mobility, a real-world lab for urban mobility at Galgenberg. The Cluster Mobility & Logistics, under the umbrella of TechBase Regensburg GmbH, has been commissioned by the City of Regensburg to operate R_Lab Mobility. “With the RSU test, we are bringing digital infrastructure directly into public spaces and testing under real-world conditions how Car-to-X technologies can improve our traffic management,” says Stefan Männicke, Head of Road Traffic Engineering for the City of Regensburg. “The focus here is on technical feasibility.” The application project thus directly contributes to the City of Regensburg’s Smart City strategy. With the RSU test at Regensburg University Hospital, R_Lab Mobility is once again demonstrating how innovative technologies can be deployed responsibly, in compliance with data protection regulations, and in a practical manner—with the goal of making urban mobility safer, more efficient, and sustainable.
In addition to the specific prioritization of the ECMO vehicle in road traffic, the project pursues further strategic goals:
- Gaining practical experience with C2X technologies
- Evaluating technical standards
- Integrating RSU data into traffic computers and traffic management systems
- Ensuring GDPR compliance and IT security
Added value for the city, the hospital, and the economy
The R_Lab Mobility offers companies, government agencies, and academia the opportunity to jointly develop innovative mobility solutions and test them under real-world conditions. “With the RSU test, we are laying an important foundation for future applications—for example, for giving priority to other emergency vehicles,” says Anne Häner, project manager at the Cluster Mobility & Logistics.
For the UKR, the project represents a potential improvement in emergency care. For the city of Regensburg, it serves as a pilot application for the digital advancement of traffic control. At the same time, the real-world lab opens up new perspectives for data-driven mobility solutions for companies and research institutions.
The project is scheduled to run until December 2026.
As a measure to implement Regensburg’s smart city strategy, the R_Lab Mobility real-world lab is funded by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, and Construction (BMWSB).
Press contact:
TechBase Regensburg GmbH
Tanja Braun
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