Vehicular Communication Networks in the Automated Driving Era

Embedded with advanced sensors, cameras, and processors, the emerging automated driving vehicles are capable of sensing the environment and conducting automobile operation, paving the way to modern intelligent transportation systems with high safety and efficiency. On the other hand, vehicular communication networks (VCNs) connect vehicles, infrastructures, clouds, and all other devices with communication modules, whereby vehicles can obtain local and global information to make intelligent operation decisions. Although sensing-based automated driving technologies and VCNs have been investigated independently, their interactions and mutual benefits are still underdeveloped. In this article, we argue that VCNs have attractive potential to enhance onboard sensing-based automated vehicles from different perspectives, such as driving safety, transportation efficiency, as well as customer experience. A case study is conducted to demonstrate that traffic jams can be relieved at intersections with automated driving vehicles coordinated with each other through VCNs. Furthermore, we highlight critical and interesting issues for future research, based on the specific requirements posed by automated driving in VCNs.