ERTICO – ITS Europe and ITS America interviewed representatives from the US Department of Transportation as part of the build-up to the 18th ITS World Congress in Orlando.

ERTICO & ITSA: What are the current main priorities for the DOT concerning ITS?

The US DOT’s ITS program focuses on intelligent vehicles intelligent infrastructure and the creation of an intelligent transport system through integration with and between these two components. The Federal ITS program supports the overall advancement of ITS through investments in major research initiatives exploratory studies and a deployment support program including technology transfer and training.

The main priorities are:

SAFETY – In 2009 almost 34000 people died on US roads as the result of vehicle crashes. Hundreds of thousands more suffered life-changing injuries. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) wireless communications based safety applications enable vehicles to inform a driver of roadway hazards and dangerous situations that they can’t see. These applications have the potential to reduce or eliminate crashes through:

  • Driver Advice
  • Driver Warnings
  • Vehicle and/or Infrastructure Controls

MOBILITY – Wireless mobility applications will provide a connected data-rich travel environment using information transmitted anonymously from thousands of connected vehicles in the transportation system. This could help transport managers monitor and manage transport system performance taking actions like adjusting traffic signals and dispatching emergency services. This information could also help transport agencies and fleet owners manage crews and use resources more efficiently.

ENVIRONMENT – Data from connected vehicle ITS systems can offer traffic management centres detailed real-time information on traffic flow speeds and other vehicle conditions. This can be used to optimise system operation. On-board equipment also can advise vehicle owners on how to optimise their vehicles’ operation and maintenance for maximum fuel efficiency.

ERTICO & ITSA: What are your expectations concerning the ITS World Congress in Orlando?

The biggest thing for US DOT for the World Congress is the opportunity to showcase the Driver Clinics that are part of the USDOT/CAMP Connected Vehicle Technology Review. 

Connected Vehicle Cooperative Safety Systems use 5.9 GHz Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) to provide active safety systems that help drivers avoid crashes. US DOT has partnered with the Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership (CAMP) Vehicle Safety Communications 3 (VSC3) Consortium to research develop and test the technologies that form the framework for these systems. The CAMP Consortium consists of the Ford Motor Company General Motors LLC Honda R&D Americas Inc. Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc. Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America Inc. Nissan Technical Center North America Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. and Volkswagen Group of America. Under the Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Safety System and Vehicle Build for Safety Pilot (V2V-SP) Project vehicles from each of these manufacturers will support one or more of the following safety applications:

  • Emergency Electronic Brake Lights (EEBL)
  • Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
  • Blind Spot Warning / Lane Change Warning (BSW/LCW)
  • Do Not Pass Warning (DNPW)
  • Intersection Movement Assist (IMA)
  • Left Turn Assist (LTA)

These safety applications will be on review at the Walt Disney World® SPEEDWAY during the 18th World Congress on ITS Technology Showcase. Participants will ride in the vehicles and experience the effectiveness of the safety applications in various potential crash scenarios. The vehicles used will be part of the actual test fleet that will participate in the US DOT Safety Pilot program. The objective of the review is to show how V2V interoperability among vehicles from different automotive manufacturers can allow cars to communicate and understand each other. These connected vehicle safety systems may help drivers avoid crashes regardless of vehicle make model or type. In addition to the V2V safety applications shown in the CAMP VSC3 vehicles a stationary and V2V-equipped Class 8 heavy truck will also be part of the review. To participate in the Connected Vehicle Technology Review attendees should register in advance at www.v2vtechreview-florida.com.

ERTICO & ITSA: What makes Orlando uniquely positioned to hold this year’s ITS World Congress?

The first World Congress in the Americas took place in Orlando in 1996. Now 15 years later the sixth American World Congress and 18th overall returns just in time to see how far Florida has come in the deployment of ITS technologies. The fact that this year’s World Congress is in Orlando is no accident.   Orlando is a dynamic city and the hub of one of the greatest centres of commerce and tourism in the world. Add to this the emergence of the state of Florida as a leader in integrating Intelligent Transport Systems and transport planning through strong partnerships between government and private sector agencies and it is clear why Orlando is the best suited location for an event this big. Award winning programs like Florida Turnpike Enterprise’s SunWatch Centre and the City of Orlando Traffic Control Emergency Management Centre are working—making it the perfect venue for this year’s World Congress.  Florida is also fortunate to be the home of one of the most active ITS America chapters in the country ITS Florida which is heavily involved in all aspects of planning and shaping this year’s World Congress.

To find out more click here

Link to original Article

http://www.ertico.com/the-orlando-its-world-congress-interview-us-dot/

Original Publication Date: Wed 31 Aug 2011