📋 Tender Overview
The Connected V16 beacon is an approved device for signaling breakdowns and accidents on the road that will be mandatory and will replace the triangles starting from January 1 2026.
The Council of Ministers in its meeting on March 16 2021 approved a Royal Decree to regulate assistance services on public roads which included as a main novelty the replacement of the two triangles placed in front of and behind the immobilized vehicle after a breakdown or accident with a luminous device located at the highest point of the vehicle. The regulation established its mandatory use starting January 1 2026. The Official State Bulletin published on December 20 2022 a new Royal Decree that modifies and completes this regulation mainly regarding technical aspects certification and connectivity of the devices (beacons). Drivers have been able to use both triangles and beacons with or without connection until now. However starting January 1 2026 only V16 devices connected to the DGT 3.0 platform will be legal. What is the Connected V16 beacon? It is a small yellow beacon equipped with connectivity and capable of emitting a 360o high-intensity light intermittently and continuously for at least 30 minutes. It incorporates a battery with a minimum lifespan of 18 months regardless of whether it is rechargeable or not. What is the purpose of the V16 beacon? To prevent drivers from having to exit their vehicles when they have a breakdown to place the triangles crossing the roadway or shoulder. Each year around 25 people die in Spain after being run over while trying to place the triangles. To increase the protection of drivers and occupants because connectivity allows for the luminous visibility of immobilized vehicles and virtual visibility as other drivers circulating in the area receive a warning through navigators mobility applications and variable message panels that there is a stopped vehicle on the roadway. Which vehicles are required to carry it? Cars vans buses adaptable mixed vehicles trucks and non-special vehicle combinations must carry it mandatorily. In the case of motorcycles it is not mandatory but it is advisable for safety reasons. The beacon must be kept charged in the glove compartment or another accessible place inside the vehicle. How is the Connected V16 beacon placed? Once the vehicle is immobilized on the road or shoulder the driver must turn on the beacon and place it from inside on the roof of the car and if that is not possible as in the case of buses and trucks it can be placed on its door. The vehicles emergency lights must also be activated. The V16 beacon usually includes a powerful magnet that allows it to adhere to metal surfaces. If the vehicle has an aluminum body or a glass roof it may not adhere as well as on steel surfaces. What should the driver do after activating the beacon? Once the vehicle is immobilized and the beacon is activated the driver and occupants must assess whether it is safe to exit the car. The General Traffic Regulation establishes as a general rule that they must leave the vehicle whenever there is a safe place outside the traffic platform. They must exit the car on the side opposite to the flow of traffic without crossing or remaining in the lanes or shoulders that make up the platform. If traffic conditions do not allow the occupants to exit the vehicle safely they will remain inside with their seatbelts fastened. How does the beacon work? Do I need an app or a mobile phone? Once activated the beacon emits a light signal and automatically transmits the exact location of the immobilized vehicle to the DGT 3.0 platform. The device includes a GPS chip and a non-removable SIM card inside that handle the connection. You just need to turn it on. It is not necessary to use a mobile phone or any application. Telecommunications companies will not charge individuals any amount for the connectivity service as legislation mandates a minimum connectivity availability of 12 years the cost of which is included in the sale price of the V16 device. What power source does it use and how long does the battery last? The V16 beacon operates thanks to an internal power source that varies depending on the model. Some devices use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries while others use USB-rechargeable lithium batteries. In all cases they must guarantee a minimum of 30 minutes of continuous operation after activation. They must also have a minimum standby autonomy of 18 months. At what distance can the connected beacon be seen? Under optimal conditions the beacon can be seen from a distance of 1000 meters. Since the beacon is connected to traffic management centers they will disseminate information about the accident or breakdown to other vehicles circulating in the area through navigators mobility applications or onboard computers. Drivers of older cars that do not have this type of technology will be able to find out through the variable message panels on the roads. If the accident or breakdown occurs inside a tunnel will the device send the signal to the DGT? Yes. The V16 beacon works even in conditions without conventional coverage thanks to its connection via specialized IoT communication networks. In cases where even these networks are unavailable the beacon will continue to function as a visual signal and will store the data to send it when the connection is restored. Does the beacon notify emergency services or towing services? The Connected V16 is not a notification system for emergency services or towing services. Its function is to signal and transmit the exact position of the vehicle to avoid traffic accidents. The driver or occupants will have to report their incident to the emergency service if needed or to the assistance service of the insurance company. Does the V16 transmit my personal data? No. The beacon only works if the user activates it and does not transmit the drivers personal data does not record speed and cannot identify the vehicles license plate. It
