Smart Futures at MCAV
We research and explore the use of connected autonomous vehicle technology in our current and future society, through innovating connectivity systems and simulations. We are made up of the Adaptive Network of Transport Systems (ANTS) development team and simulations and research team.
→ Adaptive Network of Transport Systems (ANTS)
Motivated by the desire to maximise efficiency in the transport network, the goal of ANTS is to safely and optimally co-ordinate the movements of CAVs in the wider road network.

Intersection Control Algorithm
Maximise intersection vehicle passthrough rate and minimise travel time for fully autonomous intersections using V2X, through:
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Developing a general algorithm for intersection control prioritising safety and efficiency
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Developing a light algorithm for vehicle collision prediction and management
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Utilising FlexBE and ROS to develop and iterate algorithms
Public Transport Integration Research
Conduct in-depth research into the public transport network and its influences to increase reliability across the network. Develop a central public transport monitoring system using the PTV API (with modular capability) as part of ANTS to enable seamless integration between all transport systems.


Hardware Communications
Develop V2V and V2I hardware communication technology using DSRC and cellular technologies. Projects include:
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Establishing communications through DSRC (Cohda MK5 OBUs and RSUs)
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Establishing communications through 4G (Nvidia Jetson Nano & SIM7600G-H)
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Integrating hardware solutions with the ANTS-ICA to enable communications between MiniDrones
→ Simulations and Research
Smart Future Systems relies on forward-thinking models, 2D and 3D software simulations, and hardware simulations to demonstrate the application of various systems in trial.
The Co-Simulation Platform being developed will allow the team to test code functionality in a realistic and controlled environment prior to being implemented in the actual vehicles.
VR will be used in a simulated 3D environment to test AV systems. VR capabilities allows testing to be conducted in an isolated reality, connected to the CSP to simulate the ANTS ecosystem.
3D Co-simulation Platform & VR
The goal of the 3D Simulation team is to develop a Co-Simulation Platform (CSP) through the integration of a Vehicle Simulation Software (VSS) and a Traffic Flow Simulation Software (TFSS).
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VSS generates the overall environment and the individual actors (i.e., Vehicles, Pedestrians) of the simulation. This will be done using CARLA.
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TFSS provides route generation for all individual actors in accordance with the situation being simulated. This will be done using SUMO.
The Co-Simulation Platform being developed will allow the team to test code functionality in a realistic and controlled environment prior to being implemented in the actual vehicles, with the ability to view the simulation in Virtual Reality.
VR will be used in a simulated 3D environment to test AV systems. VR capabilities allows testing to be conducted in an isolated reality, connected to the CSP to simulate the ANTS ecosystem.


ITS Modelling Research
The aim of the team is to research theoretical scenarios for intelligent transport systems and develop small-scale hardware simulations.
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Research and develop realistic scenarios for ITS and ANTS-ICA to cover road and transport network environments.
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Develop small-scale hardware testing environments to provide a platform for controlled simulations of newly developed CAV algorithms.