Intelligent Transportation Systems

Intelligent Transportation Systems
An Overview

David Bernstein
James Madison University

Definition

The application of advanced computing and communications technologies to transportation systems management (with an emphasis on ground transportation)

Functional Areas

Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)
- Smart traffic lights
- Ramp metering
- Electronic toll collection
- Real-time HOV lanes
Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS)
- On-board navigation systems
- Route-guidance systems (pre-trip, on-board, and roadside)
- Real-time parking information/reservations
- Electronic yellow pages
Advanced Vehicle Control Systems (AVCS)
- Collision avoidance systems (to alert drivers)
- Lane tracking systems
- Platooning
Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO)
Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS)
Advanced Rural Transportation Systems (ARTS)

ITS Programs Worldwide

Program for European Traffic with Highest Efficiency and Unprecedented Safety (PROMETHEUS)
- Started in 1986
- Includes 12 automakers, 70 research institutions and universities, and 100 electronics firms
Advanced Mobile Traffic Info. Communication System (AMTICS)
- Sponsored by Japan's National Police Agency and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications
- Included 50 companies
- Now part of the Vehicle Information and Computer System (VICS)

ITS Programs Worldwide (cont.)

Road/Automobile Communication System (RACS)
- Sponsored by Japan's Ministry of Construction
- Included 25 companies
- Now part of the Vehicle Information and Computer System (VICS)
Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America)
- Consortium of gov't. agencies, private companies and universities
- ISTEA allocated $234 million in 1992 and $660 million over the period 1993-1999
- TEA21 allocated additional funds

New Surveillance Technologies

Point Data (e.g., volume, speed, occupancy, vehicle length)
- Infrared detectors
- Fiber-optic pressure sensors
- Magnetometers
- Radar detectors
- Video detectors
- Piezoelectoric detectors
Point-to-Point Data (e.g., travel time)
- Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI)
- Vehicle to Roadside Communication (VRC)
Area Data (e.g., density)
- Video detectors
- Wide-area radar
- Satellite/aerial photography

New Management Technologies

Electronic Toll Collection (ETC)
- Equipment: In-vehicle unit and Roadside unit
- Technology: Visible light/infrared or RF/microwave
- Method of Payment: Debit or credit
Weigh-in-Motion (WIM)

New Control Technologies

Traffic Control
- Control Systems -- real-time reversible lanes, ...
- Information Systems -- navigation, parking info., ...
Vehicular Control
- Lateral/longitudinal warning systems
- Platooning systems

New Approaches to Control

Closed-loop control (feedback) vs. open-loop control
Derivative control (predictions -- default and adjustments)
Distributed control vs. centralized control

New Institutional Relationships

Public-Private Partnerships
- Research and development
- Operations (e.g., ETC, maintenance)
Interagency Cooperation
- Intermodalism
- Cooperation across different jurisdictions

Some Near Term Implications

Vehicles
- More heavily instrumented
- Standardized I/O bus (useful for non-ITS applications)
Infrastructure
- More information provided in digital form
- Closer monitoring and improved maintenance
Behavior
- Different travel patterns (e.g., multimodal)
- Different driving patterns (e.g., less start-and-stop)

The Challenges

Environmental Concerns
- Many cities are not in conformity with the CAAA
- Emissions account for 50% of VOC, 50% of NO_x, and 80% of CO
- Supply-oriented projects can/will be stopped
- Demand mgmt. is important (e.g., congestion pricing)
Economic Concerns
- Market viability
- International competitiveness
Social Concerns
- Equity and Fairness
- Accountability and Liability
Organizational and Institutional Concerns
- Are existing transportation agencies up to the task?
- The role of the public sector

Some "Popular" Misconceptions

The Necessary Technologies are all Electronic
All Technologies will Improve Things
ITS is a "No-Brainer"

Some "Truths"

Many "Soft" Technologies are Required
- "Without software it's just an expensive paperweight."
There May be Latent Demand
- "If you build it they will come."
Better Mousetraps Don't Always Sell
- "Salespeople exist for a reason."

There's Always More to Learn