Goran Vesić, the Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, announced a plan to upgrade all highways in Serbia to “smart” roads over the coming years. This development aims to enhance road safety and efficiency by integrating advanced technology.
According to Vesić, the new system will ensure that drivers can no longer exceed legal speed limits, as cars will automatically read and respond to road signs. The smart roads will enable vehicles to receive real-time information about intersections, traffic congestion and speed limits, reducing the need for manual driver intervention.
The technology will include smart signaling with LED lights and adaptable traffic signs that respond to changing traffic and weather conditions. Data collected from these roads will be used to optimize traffic flow and alert drivers to potential hazards. Some smart roads will also feature solar panels to power road lighting and electronic systems, and utilize materials that improve light reflection and noise absorption.
The system will employ artificial intelligence to analyze traffic data and make real-time decisions, such as adjusting traffic signals or optimizing routes.
Modern vehicles equipped with advanced systems will be able to connect with these smart roads. Vehicles with adaptive cruise control, automatic braking and navigation systems that communicate with traffic signals will benefit from the technology. V2X systems, which include Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I), Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P), and Vehicle-to-Network (V2N) communications, will enable cars to interact with smart road infrastructure.
Electric and autonomous vehicles, equipped with cutting-edge technology, will also be compatible with the new system. Cars with advanced navigation, GPS, real-time maps, and connectivity via 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi will gain access to real-time updates on road conditions and traffic.