Innovative 5G applications for Jena

Last year, the city of Jena won the 5G innovation competition organized by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. With a project for 5G-based networking of all types of road users, Jena and its partners were able to impress and were named one of the 10 best submissions.

Today, Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer presented the funding decision for 3.9 million euros in a virtual conference with the 9 other award winners. This will enable the "5G-based V2X networking to increase road safety and optimize multimodal transport and energy supply in Jena" concept to be launched.

Among other things, this will be used to carry out and analyze the networking of road users (public transport, private transport, bicycles, e-scooters, pedestrians) using real-time data. This also includes the 5G connection of vehicle sensors in public transport, such as ABS and ESP sensors or odometers, as well as the connection of stationary traffic light systems.

An app will serve as an additional source of information from private transport and provide individual traffic information in real time as a feedback channel.

The partners involved in the project come from the regional economy in Thuringia and Saxony (Data in Motion, INAVET), from research institutions (TU Dresden, TH Mittweida) and from municipal administration and municipal companies (KSJ, Stadtwerke Jena Netze, Jenaer Nahverkehr). However, we are also very proud to have gained Telekom and Vodafone as associated partners. As a result, Jena has had nationwide 5G coverage since mid-2020.

Benjamin Koppe is aware of the project's signal effect: "Now the work on the project is starting, we as the administration and our partners are ready to go. The aim is to implement 5G applications under real conditions and thus make an important contribution to improving mobility behavior, road safety and reducing the burden on the environment. At the same time, the digital economy in Jena can provide important impetus for implementation. I am extremely excited about the collaboration and wish everyone involved every success."

Details on the funded projects can be found here.

The video of the event can be found here: (Jena part from 36:30 min)