Safety

This paper introduces a low cost collision avoidance system in a Wireless environment. This system uses existing GPS technology which makes it unique as compared to other systems in existence. The system is designed to provide the driver with an audio/visual warning of an approaching obstacle or if a collision is predicted. The proposed system is unique and has many potential benefits because it is not based on expensive Radar or sensor systems as opposed to existing systems. It uses GPS technology which is cheaper and promises improvement in position measurement accuracy.

University of Central Florida

Presented at the 10th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, May 1-4, 2000 Boston, MA

Static speed limit signs are conventionally used in the U.S. to assist motorists in safe selection of speeds. Although appropriate to use under near ideal conditions, such signs fail to provide accurate information on speed selection when traffic and environmental conditions are less than ideal. This paper documents the findings from a state-of-the-practice review on variable speed limit systems. Such systems dynamically update posted speed limits to better reflect prevailing traffic and environmental conditions. The paper reviews and compares characteristics of variable speed limit systems, and discusses potential benefits and limitations associated with their deployment. Examples of domestic and international applications of variable speed limit systems are presented, together with an assessment of their potential capabilities towards enhancement of traffic operations.

Michigan State University

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida

Coastal areas in many parts of the world are vulnerable to impact by hurricanes and tropical storms. The transportation systems of those areas can be taxed heavily by storm related evacuations, and the after effects can last for days, weeks and even months. Coastal urbanized areas that have Intelligent Transportation System equipment deployed for management of the transportation facilities recognize the power of ITS technologies and strategies to handle both recurring and non-recurring transportation congestion. The primary purpose of this paper is to evaluate the potential real-time use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies to improve safety and efficiency during hurricane evacuations. A secondary use of ITS for post evacuation evaluation and preparedness planning is also addressed. The highway system in Florida serves as the backdrop for this evaluation. Hurricane evacuation is a serious business, and the government and private sector decision makers who bear responsible charge for public safety have a solemn task. The technologies of ITS cannot create a system that will completely eliminate traffic congestion during evacuations, but they can provide managers and operators with the best tools to get the job done quickly and safely. Of the immediately available technologies, those that have the greatest potential are motorist information devices, closed circuit video cameras for monitoring, robust communications systems for sharing of information, and traffic data collection devices that aid in the decision making activities both during the event, and after the event in planning for future storms. Transportation management centers in nearby locals that are safe haven zones for evacuees also may utilize ITS to manage the evacuating traffic, provide information to those seeking shelter, and even remotely operate devices in areas that are undergoing an evacuation.

PB Farradyne, A Division of Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc.

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida

The Elizabeth River Midtown Tunnel Approach TMS system is designed to manage and monitor traffic in Pinners Point area on the Portsmouth approach to the Midtown Tunnel. The system is also designed to automatically detect a tunnel approaching over-height vehicle early enough to automatically execute predefined safety measures to prevent accidents. Due to the complexity and limitations of the geometry, a control logic was developed and incorporated into the TMS system design to achieve the operational and safety objectives of the automated system. This paper presents the control logic and overall TMS system design functions. The control logic developed can be applied by other transportation practitioners to similar tunnel approach control systems.

DKS Associates

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida

Frontal collision warning is considered one of the most critical applications within the intelligent vehicle initiative (IVI) program (www.its.dot.gov/ivi/ivi.htm). California Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways (PATH, www.path.berkeley.edu) program started a project under the sponsorship of Federal Transit Administration (FTA, www.fta.dot.gov) to investigate the appropriate specifications for frontal collision warning systems for transit buses. The project is being conducted with the cooperation of several partners, including San Mateo Transit Agency (Samtrans), Gillig Corporation, and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). [1]

The distinct nature of frontal collision warning systems in transit buses lies in their operating environment, which differs significantly from those in highway applications. First of all, transit buses operate in local streets with frequent stops, compared to high-speed cruising scenarios on highways. Secondly, a more diverse variety of obstacles are present on bus routes. Furthermore, from an analysis of accident data, it was noticed that transit buses often encounter situations where the front end or corners of a bus may make contacts with vehicles or obstacles at close range during their maneuvers at intersections, turns, or stops. All these factors make the implementation of collision warning systems for transit buses much more complicated than those designed for highway applications.

In this paper, we provided an analysis of real-world collision scenarios by reviewing an extensive list of accident situations from transit agencies. This analysis helped us identify certain aspects of bus operating environment that are unique and significant. We also laid out the foundation of scenario parsing by identifying the expected data patterns to be acquired by sensors placed on test vehicles. The collection of field data and the subsequent data dissection will serve as the basis for threat assessment in various traffic conditions and algorithm design for collision warning.

California PATH, Headquarters

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida