Abstract
Keywords- car-to-x communication, vehicular ad hoc network, traffic efficiency, market introductionMarket introduction of car-to-car communication systems is challenging, since a market penetration of 1 to 2% is required before a first benefit for the customer will be achievable. Consequently, cooperation between car manufacturers is mandatory in order to quickly overcome the phase of initial deployment. A coalition with public administration is able to support this task by introducing car-to-infrastructure applications requiring even less equipped vehicles. However, market penetration will increase gradually; high market penetration exceeding 70% will occur after more than ten years. Thus, in the lifespan of the first vehicles equipped with car-to-x communication, applications requiring a high market penetration will not be available. This article presents a brief analysis of the challenges of market introduction, including a simple model for predicting the achievable market penetration. As an example traffic-light-to-car communication shows how car-to-infrastructure communication can be integrated into existing traffic infrastructure. Afterwards, a two-step process for market introduction is advocated: In the first step, user benefit is achieved by delay-tolerant and infrastructure-based applications. The second step adds applications that require a high market penetration.