Connected Mobility: Technologies, Gaps and the Road Ahead

This chapter explores connectivity as a foundational element in the evolution of the connected aspect of Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Mobility (CCAM). Beginning with an accessible tutorial on the core principles, metrics, and technologies – such as cellular or Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) – the chapter offers a comparative analysis of existing communication standards. It also examines the current implementations, addressing Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) connectivity, highlighting real-world applications, known limitations, and risk factors, including spectrum constraints, coexistence of different technologies/versions, and scenario dependence. Future perspectives are presented to address these challenges and include alternative approaches such as Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC). The chapter also emphasizes expanding connectivity to Multimodal Road Users (MRUs), aiming for a fully inclusive connected ecosystem. Through this structured analysis, we identify technological gaps and outline future research needs, helping guide the development of resilient and universal communication frameworks in mobility systems.