Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems are transforming the safety landscape of hydrogen transport by enabling real-time data exchange between vehicles carrying hydrogen. These systems mitigate risks associated with hydrogen’s flammability, low ignition energy, and potential for leaks by enhancing situational awareness and enabling proactive hazard management. By leveraging dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) and 5G-V2X protocols, hydrogen transport fleets can achieve unprecedented levels of safety through collision avoidance, hazardous condition alerts, and geofencing in high-risk zones like tunnels and urban areas.

Collision avoidance is a critical application of V2V systems in hydrogen transport. Hydrogen trucks and tankers equipped with V2V technology continuously broadcast their position, speed, and trajectory to nearby vehicles. This data exchange allows onboard systems to calculate collision risks and issue warnings or automated braking interventions if necessary. For example, if a hydrogen transport vehicle suddenly decelerates, surrounding vehicles receive an instant alert, reducing rear-end collision risks. DSRC, operating in the 5.9 GHz band, provides low-latency communication essential for these time-sensitive alerts. Meanwhile, 5G-V2X enhances reliability with higher data rates and lower latency, supporting more complex scenarios like multi-vehicle coordination at intersections. These protocols ensure that hydrogen transport vehicles maintain safe distances, even in dense traffic or poor visibility conditions.

Hazardous condition alerts are another vital function of V2V systems for hydrogen safety. Hydrogen leaks, fires, or pressure anomalies can be detected by onboard sensors and immediately shared with nearby vehicles and infrastructure. If a leak is detected, the affected vehicle transmits a hazard signal, triggering evacuation protocols or rerouting nearby hydrogen transports to avoid the danger zone. Thermal sensors can identify overheating components, while gas detectors monitor for leaks, with all data disseminated via V2V networks. This real-time hazard sharing is particularly crucial in convoy scenarios, where multiple hydrogen vehicles travel together. DSRC’s broadcast capabilities ensure rapid dissemination of alerts within a 300-meter range, while 5G-V2X extends coverage and supports higher data volumes for detailed hazard assessments.

Geofencing enhances safety in high-risk areas such as tunnels, urban corridors, and hazardous material zones. V2V systems integrate with geographic information systems (GIS) to enforce speed limits, lane discipline, and route compliance when hydrogen transports enter restricted areas. In tunnels, where ventilation may be limited, geofencing triggers mandatory speed reductions and activates additional leak monitoring. Urban geofences can restrict hydrogen vehicles from congested pedestrian zones or sensitive infrastructure. V2V communication ensures all vehicles within the geofence adhere to these rules, with violations triggering warnings to drivers and fleet operators. DSRC supports static geofencing with reliable low-latency alerts, while 5G-V2X enables dynamic geofencing adjustments based on real-time traffic or incident data.

The choice between DSRC and 5G-V2X depends on specific safety requirements. DSRC, standardized under IEEE 802.11p, offers proven reliability for basic safety messages and operates independently of cellular networks. It is well-suited for localized hazard alerts and collision avoidance in hydrogen fleets. In contrast, 5G-V2X provides superior bandwidth and network slicing capabilities, enabling advanced applications like high-resolution sensor sharing or predictive hazard modeling. For instance, a hydrogen truck could share real-time pressure and temperature data with nearby vehicles using 5G-V2X, allowing them to preemptively adjust routes if anomalies are detected. Hybrid systems leveraging both protocols may offer the most robust solution, combining DSRC’s reliability with 5G-V2X’s scalability.

Interoperability remains a challenge for widespread V2V adoption in hydrogen transport. Fleet operators must ensure compatibility between different vehicle manufacturers and communication protocols. Standardization efforts by organizations like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) are addressing this, with protocols like SAE J2735 defining message sets for hazardous material transport. Harmonizing these standards globally will be essential for cross-border hydrogen logistics.

Security is another critical consideration. V2V systems must prevent cyber threats that could compromise hydrogen transport safety. Message authentication, encryption, and intrusion detection systems are integral to protecting V2V networks from spoofing or false hazard alerts. Both DSRC and 5G-V2X incorporate security frameworks, but continuous updates are needed to address evolving threats.

The integration of V2V with vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) systems further enhances hydrogen transport safety. Traffic signals, bridges, and weigh stations equipped with V2I capabilities can communicate with hydrogen vehicles, providing route-specific warnings or clearance approvals. For example, a smart bridge could assess weight limits in real-time and notify approaching hydrogen trucks if conditions are unsafe. This synergy between V2V and V2I creates a comprehensive safety net for hydrogen logistics.

Future advancements in V2V technology will focus on predictive analytics and machine learning. By analyzing historical and real-time data, these systems could predict potential failure points in hydrogen storage systems or identify high-risk routes before incidents occur. Edge computing in vehicles will enable faster decision-making without relying on centralized servers, crucial for time-sensitive safety applications.

In summary, V2V communication systems are indispensable for safe hydrogen transport, addressing collision risks, hazardous conditions, and geofencing challenges. DSRC and 5G-V2X provide the foundational protocols, each with distinct advantages for different safety scenarios. As standardization and security measures mature, V2V will become a cornerstone of hydrogen logistics, ensuring that this clean energy carrier is transported with minimal risk to people and infrastructure. The ongoing evolution of these systems will further solidify their role in enabling a safe and efficient hydrogen economy.