The Madrid City Council, through Madrid Calle 30, is going to start installing a system of Bluetooth electronic beacons this Monday that will allow guided navigation through the M-30 tunnels. The initiative is based on the implementation of location beacons with the aim of solving the lack of GPS navigation viability inside the tunnels due to the lack of visibility of satellites that allow precise and continuous positioning through triangulation techniques.
In this way, the limitation presented by the existing GPS repeater infrastructure, which is only capable of offering fixed positions related to the positions of external antennas and does not allow for smooth navigation, can be addressed.
The objective is to provide M-30 users with the necessary tool to circulate with the maximum possible ease in terms of fluidity and safety, both for regular users and those who are not accustomed or familiar with the underground part of the M-30 ring, an infrastructure that constitutes the second largest network of urban road tunnels in the world behind Tokyo.
The work will essentially involve the installation of Bluetooth electronic beacons inside the tunnel, approximately 20 to 40 meters apart from each other. The installation will be carried out on the sides of the tunnel at the height of the cable trays using an aluminum support fixed to the tray.
The beacons will emit a Bluetooth localization radio signal that will identify each beacon. During the system configuration process, each beacon will be associated with its position in the tunnel, allowing navigators to position the vehicle on the map. This system will ensure coverage for both Waze and Google Maps users.
It is estimated that the work, which represents an investment of 141,000 euros, will be completed before the next summer.
