Until recently, the primary interaction between vehicles and roadways was the interface between the tire and road surface at the tire contact patch. In addition, loop detectors, roadside closed-circuit cameras, microwave radar or roadway weather information services provide data about, and in some instances (e.g., changeable message signs) to vehicles. REACT adds vehicles as important mobile collectors of information. However, because the driver is crucial, the amount of quality information provided to him/her needs to be expanded beyond 'changeable message signs'. Much of the most relevant information will come from nearby vehicles, which underlines the need for V2V communication. The challenge is to develop a system that intelligently and efficiently handles the large amount of relevant information that can be collected from vehicles.

The current status is that some physical media are already used for V2V communications, but not in a cooperative way. Many current systems are proprietary and lack open communication platforms that make it possible to use available technologies as well allowing the introduction of emerging ones. Actual systems are stuck in a 'one application - one box - one radio' situation. COM2REACT aims to develop an innovative seamless infrastructure able to transparently integrate heterogeneous devices and services.