Cross-cutting Issues

The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Professional Capacity Building (PCB) Program is currently working to identify ITS core competencies in order to understand what determines proficiency in ITS. Core competencies represent the minimum set of core knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) required to function effectively in a specific field. This paper examines several projects, both completed and on-going, that have examined the core competencies for Management and Operations (M&O). But how do the core competencies for M&O relate to the core competencies for ITS? After review of multiple definitions of M&O and ITS, ITS is the technology, while Management and Operations is the application of the technology.  In other words, ITS is the principle tool used to support the needs of M&O. Therefore, should be considered a subset of M&O. PCB. The key to the roadmap was solidifying the core competencies for M&O professionals.

it seems thatITSIn July 2011, a roadmap was developed for operations.  Assuming agreement that competencies for M&O are endorsed, then the ITS PCB program can extract the ITS core competencies from the overall M&O ones. Once that activity is completed, the ITS PCB program plans to develop an outline of the baseline curriculum that is necessary to obtain various levels of ITS proficiency. The curriculum will specify courses to be taken within certain tracks to become recognized as being particularly proficient or expert in a specific ITS technology or other area.  ITS should be considered a subset of M&O.

U.S. DOT

University of Maryland

Presented at the 18th World Congress on ITS, October 2011, Orlando, Florida

This paper describes the uses of a cooperative control algorithm between on-board vehicle
computers and signal control computers that are connected by low-latency Dedicated Short-
Range Communications (DSRC) wireless into a single control loop. Deployed use cases include
environmental vehicle engine control, Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance System -
Violations (CICAS-V), advanced actuated traffic signal control and adaptive traffic signal
control.

Authors: Dave Miller, Brian Collum

Presented at the 18th World Congress on ITS, October 2011, Orlando, Florida

Many “players” have been involved in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for a long time, beginning in earnest with the USDOT Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) program.  Each player has a vision for their role in the future of ITS.  In recent years, with the declining economy and more conservative investments in technology research, the ITS landscape has changed.  Players have had to adapt, evolve and innovate to stay relevant in the ever-changing ITS puzzle.  This paper presents the story of one such ITS technology evolution.  From the 2008 World Congress demonstration success of a Cooperative Pedestrian Warning System, to a stand-alone prototype Universal Pedestrian Warning System, to a new Infrastructure Basic Safety Message (BSM) Generator in support of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) safety applications being showcased at the 2011 World Congress on ITS, the key to success has been adapt, evolve and innovate.

Author: J.R. Richardson

Presented at the 18th World Congress on ITS, October 2011, Orlando, Florida

A request was made by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Five to
perform a technical study to evaluate the operation and performance of the Variable Speed Limit (VSL) system. The focus of the study is to determine if the use of VSL’s improve safety
measured by driver compliance, crash rates, and crash types. On September 15, 2008, the  Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began using VSL deployed on Interstate 4 (SR 400, I-4) from Rio Grande Avenue (just south of the downtown district) to Maitland Boulevard, SR 414 (north of the downtown district). This 10 mile segment of I-4 is one of the heaviest traveled stretches along the roadway as the annual average daily traffic (AADT) exceeds 200,000 vehicles per day.
Due to these large demands it has been proposed by District Five that this segment of I-4 would benefit from the implantation of the VSL system by reducing speeds, make speeds more uniform across all lanes, and to reduce the number of secondary accidents by slowing drivers down in advance of a stop or reduced speed condition. This report provides conclusions based on data provided by District Five to make an evaluation on performance of the VSL system.
According to the FDOT the Variable Speed Limits along I-4 are used as a traffic management
2 I-4 Variable Speed Limit Performance Analysis 8/23/2011 tool to create optimum speed limits for current traffic conditions. By considering multiple factors, FDOT can decrease or increase I-4 speed limits displayed on digital speed limit signs.

Author: ATKINS

Presented at the 18th World Congress on ITS, October 2011, Orlando, Florida

Previous studies indicated that some drivers have a poor perception of safe speed and distance when approaching a queue. This type of poor judgment is the major cause of rear-end vehicle collision, which is a primary type of multi-vehicle collision on freeways. A significant reduction of collisions is possible, if informative and timely warnings are provided to drivers to help adjust the speed before being very close to the queue. Current practices of queue warning only inform drivers about queue occurrence and the distance of the queue-end position from the message sign. Because it is difficult for some drivers to estimate the safe approaching speed, additional advisory information about the required speed is desirable. This paper presents the current state of the art and the practice to integrate the queue warning and variable speed limit systems to enhance traffic operation efficiency and improve system safety performance.

Authors: Tanveer Hayat, Gouhui Zhang, C. Michael Walton

Presented at the 18th World Congress on ITS, October 2011, Orlando, Florida