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Intelligent Transportation Systems
An Overview


David Bernstein
James Madison University

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Definition
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The application of advanced computing and communications technologies to transportation systems management (with an emphasis on ground transportation)
Functional Areas
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  • Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)
    • Smart traffic lights
    • Ramp metering
    • Electronic toll collection
    • Real-time HOV lanes
    Expand
  • 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
    Expand
  • Advanced Vehicle Control Systems (AVCS)
    • Collision avoidance systems (to alert drivers)
    • Lane tracking systems
    • Platooning
    Expand
  • Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO)
  • Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS)
  • Advanced Rural Transportation Systems (ARTS)
ITS Programs Worldwide
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  • 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.)
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  • 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
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  • Point Data (e.g., volume, speed, occupancy, vehicle length)
    • Infrared detectors
    • Fiber-optic pressure sensors
    • Magnetometers
    • Radar detectors
    • Video detectors
    • Piezoelectoric detectors
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  • Point-to-Point Data (e.g., travel time)
    • Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI)
    • Vehicle to Roadside Communication (VRC)
    Expand
  • Area Data (e.g., density)
    • Video detectors
    • Wide-area radar
    • Satellite/aerial photography
    Expand
New Management Technologies
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  • Electronic Toll Collection (ETC)
    • Equipment: In-vehicle unit and Roadside unit
    • Technology: Visible light/infrared or RF/microwave
    • Method of Payment: Debit or credit
    Expand
  • Weigh-in-Motion (WIM)
New Control Technologies
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  • Traffic Control
    • Control Systems -- real-time reversible lanes, ...
    • Information Systems -- navigation, parking info., ...
    Expand
  • Vehicular Control
    • Lateral/longitudinal warning systems
    • Platooning systems
    Expand
New Approaches to Control
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  • Closed-loop control (feedback) vs. open-loop control
  • Derivative control (predictions -- default and adjustments)
  • Distributed control vs. centralized control
New Institutional Relationships
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  • Public-Private Partnerships
    • Research and development
    • Operations (e.g., ETC, maintenance)
    Expand
  • Interagency Cooperation
    • Intermodalism
    • Cooperation across different jurisdictions
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Some Near Term Implications
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  • Vehicles
    • More heavily instrumented
    • Standardized I/O bus (useful for non-ITS applications)
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  • Infrastructure
    • More information provided in digital form
    • Closer monitoring and improved maintenance
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  • Behavior
    • Different travel patterns (e.g., multimodal)
    • Different driving patterns (e.g., less start-and-stop)
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The Challenges
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  • Environmental Concerns
    • Many cities are not in conformity with the CAAA
    • Emissions account for 50% of VOC, 50% of NOx, and 80% of CO
    • Supply-oriented projects can/will be stopped
    • Demand mgmt. is important (e.g., congestion pricing)
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  • Economic Concerns
    • Market viability
    • International competitiveness
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  • Social Concerns
    • Equity and Fairness
    • Accountability and Liability
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  • Organizational and Institutional Concerns
    • Are existing transportation agencies up to the task?
    • The role of the public sector
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Some "Popular" Misconceptions
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  • The Necessary Technologies are all Electronic
  • All Technologies will Improve Things
  • ITS is a "No-Brainer"
Some "Truths"
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  • 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
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