Evaluating C-V2X Performance and Coverage in Work Zones

Cellular-vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology is a promising solution for enhancing vehicular communication and augmenting road safety. Its efficacy depends greatly on its deployment within the built infrastructure and the environmental and operational conditions in the traffic network. This study uses experimental data collected from a test track and road sites to investigate the performance and coverage of C-V2X in work zones. The findings indicate that C-V2X needs an unobstructed line of sight between the vehicle's onboard unit (OBU) and the roadside unit (RSU) for maximum functionality. The results show substantial coverage deterioration due to the presence of signal-blocking elements including structures, elevation changes, work zone vehicles, and vegetation. A key challenge in the live work zone deployments was lack of access to high-elevation locations for antenna mounting, and a general lack of power sources within active work zones. Across the test sites in the field, the typical blockages in the work zone that resulted in an effective range of C-V2X was approximately 500 meters, roughly one-fifth of the maximum measured line of sight range of 2260 meters. These findings are useful for estimating the number of CV2X units needed to achieve full coverage within work zone sites.