What Is V2X Technology and How Does It Work?

Imagine if your car could sense a collision before you see brake lights. That’s the power of V2X—connected vehicle technology built to anticipate, respond, and prevent collisions. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, this kind of connectivity could help prevent up to 80% of non-impaired crashes involving drivers.

Connected vehicles are no longer isolated machines. With intelligent transportation systems gaining traction, they’re becoming part of a broader digital network, sharing data with other cars, infrastructure, and cloud-based platforms in real time.

V2X—short for “vehicle-to-everything”—is central to this shift. This communication framework enables vehicles to interact with each other, as well as roadway infrastructure and cloud-based networks. The result is faster response times, fewer collisions, and more efficient traffic management.

Explore how V2X technology works, the types of systems involved, and how sensor platforms like Omnisight’s FusionSensor make real-time data exchange possible.

What Is V2X Technology?

V2X technology lets vehicles share real-time data with other systems beyond the driver’s view. Using wireless protocols, it supports safer driving, smoother traffic flow, and prepares the groundwork for autonomous travel.

The term vehicle-to-everything captures how broad this system is. It’s not limited to vehicle-to-vehicle messaging—V2X includes infrastructure like traffic lights, network servers, pedestrians with connected devices, and even emergency response systems.

The primary components of a V2X system include: 

• V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle). Cars share speed, direction, and braking data to help avoid collisions caused by blind spots, sudden stops, or unsafe lane changes. For example, a car slowing rapidly on a highway can alert vehicles behind it before the brake lights are even visible.
  
  
• V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure). Vehicles connect with traffic signals and road signage to adjust light timing, cut down intersection delays, and alert drivers to closures or construction zones.
  
  
• V2N (Vehicle-to-Network). This channel connects vehicles to central data servers, traffic management platforms, and cloud-based navigation tools. It supports real-time rerouting based on congestion, weather updates, and fleet coordination.
  
  
• V2P (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian). Cars can detect and respond to vulnerable road users using smartphones or wearable devices. For example, imagine a child stepping into the crosswalk while hidden behind a delivery van—your car knows before you do and stops in time.

Together, these channels form the backbone of a comprehensive V2X communication system.

How V2X Technology Works

V2X uses wireless signals to send small packets of data between vehicles and other parts of the traffic system, like traffic lights or control centers. It does this through one of two main types of communication protocols:

• Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC). DSRC is a wireless communication method that uses a reserved 5.9 GHz frequency to allow vehicles and nearby systems to talk to each other directly. It can send and receive data almost instantly within a range of about 300 meters, making it useful in places with little infrastructure or weak cell service.
  
  
• Cellular V2X (C-V2X). C-V2X uses existing LTE and 5G networks to support both short-range and long-distance communication between vehicles and their surroundings. It can handle more data and connect over wider areas, making it well-suited for busy urban environments. As 5G coverage expands, C-V2X is becoming popular for cities looking to scale up connected traffic systems.
  
  

With these communication types in place, cities and automakers are deploying real-world solutions that bring V2X benefits to everyday drivers. 

Real-World V2X Applications

V2X is already moving beyond pilot projects and into public infrastructure. Cities and transit authorities are integrating connected signals, cameras, and communication hubs to build more innovative intersections and highway corridors.

Cities are using V2X in areas like:

• Adaptive signal timing to prioritize heavy traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks.
• Forward collision warnings between approaching vehicles, especially at high-speed merging points.
• Emergency vehicle prioritization, where ambulances or fire trucks can change signal patterns ahead of their route.
• Dynamic rerouting for commercial fleets to avoid accidents, weather delays, or road closures.
  
  

Omnisight’s FusionSensor: Turning Movement Into V2X Intelligence

Omnisight’s FusionSensor adds real-world awareness that traditional V2X protocols can’t deliver alone. Using a blend of radar, optical tracking, and built-in AI, the sensor captures detailed traffic activity—even in bad weather or low light—and translates it into structured data.

Traffic signals gain a broader field of view, allowing them to respond to actual conditions instead of relying on fixed timing plans. Pedestrian movement, vehicle volume, and direction of travel are all processed instantly, enabling safer and more responsive intersections.

This level of insight supports advanced V2X solutions while using the infrastructure cities already have. FusionSensor technology makes it possible to deploy connected corridors at scale, with actionable data that improves flow, safety, and coordination across the transportation network.

Safer Streets Start With Better Data

V2X is already reshaping how cities approach traffic safety and mobility. On highways and local roads, V2X technology is helping prevent crashes, improve traffic flow, and guide practical infrastructure planning.

Omnisight’s FusionSensor provides the real-time visibility these systems need to operate effectively—no major upgrades required. As connected vehicles and intersections become more common, the impact of reliable data will only grow.

To learn how Omnisight can support your city’s V2X solutions, get in touch with our team today.