Cross-cutting Issues

Contrary to the historical linear model for technology implementation,
modern technology policy has evolved as a continual, cyclical process. Understanding this
process is essential in educating legislators and decisionmakers in a way that will guide
effectively timed and appropriately supported implementation of new technology
developments.

Booz Allen Hamilton

Presented at the 12th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, November 6-10, 2005, San Francisco, California

This paper brings technical light and an innovative approach to a specific application that can utilize the existing infrastructure of RWIS data and Adaptive Traffic Signal Control (ATSC) to create more efficient signal phasing and safer intersection conditions during inclement weather.  It defines in general adaptive signal control applications and current atmospheric and pavement condition data assets. The paper then presents ideas on how to combine those two to create system applications that adapt to current traffic conditions and the associated changes in driver behavior, with the goal of creating safer, more efficient weather based adaptive signal phasing systems.  For example, if a sensor senses that the friction coefficient of the pavement at an intersection is significantly reduced so that the stopping distance of  a vehicle is increased by 50%,  the signal controller can take that data and modify the signal timing to increase yellow lights or increase the delay between red and green light phasing.  This will allow vehicles more time to clear the intersection, reducing collisions caused by vehicles unable to stop in their normal time because of reduced friction.  This is just one example of the many applications that could be developed by integrating these two existing ITS systems.

The paper concludes that by utilizing existing ITS infrastructure to develop new advanced applications without significant increase in costs, we can increase the return on investment and effectiveness of Intelligent Transportation Systems. It also demonstrates that by developing systems that have multiple applications we can increase the resolution of data derived from these systems, thus increasing the overall effectiveness of Intelligent Transportation Systems throughout the world.

 Author: Antony C. Coventry

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

The robust and reliable detection of objects in the path of a vehicle is an important
prerequisite for collision avoidance and collision mitigation systems. In this paper,
an ego-motion compensated tracking approach is presented which combines radar
observations with the results of a contour-based image processing algorithm. The
approach is able to handle all uncertainties of the system in a unified way without
analytical linearization by using the Unscented transform. By that, the covariances
of the system can be estimated more accurately. The paper describes both the image
processing and the state estimation algorithms. Furthermore, results of several
practical tests are presented.

Chemnitz University of Technology

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York

It is clear that the transportation industry has accepted that intelligent transportation systems
(ITS) and the associated technology are an important and necessary part of an efficient
transportation system.  The challenge now is how to deploy this technology in a cost effective
manner that produces the highest possible return on investment.  The following paper
discusses how recent developments in field hardware solutions like the Universal ITS Field
Hardware Platform can provide multiple sensor data points from one physical location,
reducing the costs of building, installing and maintaining unnecessary infrastructure.  
Additionally, by retrieving multiple data points from one physical location opportunities are
also created to reduce the power consumption and its associated costs as well as third-party
communication costs to retrieve the sensor data.  Advancements in ITS field hardware, like
the Universal ITS Platform discussed here, provide the transportation industry with cost-effective solutions that will prove to be extremely valuable today and in the future as we try to find new and efficient ways to deploy ITS technology with greater returns on investments.

Quixote Transportation Technologies Inc.

Paper submitted for publication and presentation at the ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition

The following papers describes the use of a virtual traffic analysis sensor for integration into existing sensor infrastructure. The specific data collection monitor described is created by formulating mathematical models based on live traffic sensors. This technology compliments existing vehicle sensors be it radar, microwave or video, resulting in an affordable solution to increasing data resolution and improving the accuracy of travel time predictions. These virtual traffic monitor sensors also have the ability to calculate the predicted estimated variance (PEV) which allows a quantitative metric as to the quality of the data.

Hamilton Signal Inc.

Presented at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York