Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (
VII) is an initiative fostering research and applications development for a series of technologies directly linking road vehicles to their physical surroundings, first and foremost in order to improve
road safety. The technology draws on several disciplines, including
transport engineering,
electrical engineering,
automotive engineering, and
computer science. VII specifically covers road transport although similar technologies are in place or under development for other modes of transport.
Planes, for example, use ground-based
beacons for automated guidance, allowing the
autopilot to fly the plane without human intervention. In
highway engineering, improving the safety of a
roadway can enhance overall efficiency. VII targets improvements in both safety and efficiency.