US ITS-JPO selected four firms to provide roadside equipments for the Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot Program

Those four are

* Kapsch
* ITRI International, Inc
* Cohda Wireless and Cisco Systems Inc.
* Savari Networks

The original news came from: http://www.its.dot.gov/procurements/roadside_safetypilot.htm

From the news last Oct. there are 8 firms participated the test of DSRC equipments organized by US DOT: http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2010/hia_device_award.htm

* AutoTalks Ltd
* Cohda Wireless
* Cohda Wireless/TomTom
* Denso International America, Inc.
* DGE Inc.
* Industrial Technology Research Institute
* Savari
* Siemens Government Solutions.

This list could serve as a good reference but not complete supplier list of DSRC/802.11p equipments.

Embedded and Vehicular Communications

Since some time, I've being working on a OMAP based embedded system for a vehicular communication related project. It's really exciting to see how ARM based processors are capable for various tasks, e.g. mobile computing, connectivity, and even supercomputer... See the news about how did Canonical build a super computer out of OMAP4 based pandaboards.


At the moment, I just have the feeling the power efficient embedded SoC chips will be one of the fundamental building blocks dealing connectivity and computing in the Intelligent/Electricity cars...

IEEE 802.11p (WAVE) gains public attention on its sucurity issue

Is it be easy to hack a car? Will it be easier to hack a highway with IEEE 802.11p?

Reported by COMPUTERWORLD, the emerging IEEE 802.11p technology could become the weak point for the highway safety and toll collection system that working on top of it. Rob Havelt, director of penetration testing at security vendor Trustwave's SpiderLabs, pointed out the threats faced by the emerging Car2Car communication technologies in his briefings at Black Hat DC.

This is not the first time that the security issues of Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments (WAVE) or system alike are discussed. Actually, along with the academia research on Car2Car communication, security has been always studied, e.g. SEVECOM project. However, a perfect security solution for Car2Car is very hard to achieve, if it really exists.

Particularly interesting, the experts of the Grand Cooperative Driving Challenge (GCDC) have developed the Linux driver module that can easily turn the COTS WiFi radio into IEEE 802.11p complying ITS transceiver on 5.9 GHz ITS band.

Overview on U.S. IntelliDrive Project

Just today, I found a very nice overview article from Shelley J. Row about the U.S. IntelliDrive project: (So far, I have no permission granted from the U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration’s “Public Roads”, where the article was originally published. But you can fine the full text through the following link):

IntelliDrive: Safer. Smarter. Greener.

U.S. DOT: Research on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Applications for the Environment: Real-Time Information Synthesis (AERIS)

20th July, 2010, the research program IntelliDrive of U.S. DOT issued a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information from the public sector, private sector and academic communities, for planning purposes, on
- ITS application that can make use of IntelliDrive data and resource to improve environmental performance;
- capture and management of real-time IntelliDrive data relevant to environmental appliations development and performance measurement;
- evaluation techniques, performance measurement, and technologies to capture environmentally-relevant data.

The following link provides more details on this RFI:
FedBizOpps Request for Information Notice - Research on Applications for the Environment: Real-Time Information Synthesis (AERIS)

Another kick on 5.9GHz DSRC Technology in the U.S.

according to the attendees at the ITS America annual conference at National Harbor Maryland, Obama administration officials are very interested in road pricing and other ITS technologies. Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) / road used charges are the major topics being discussed. Candidate technologies for such ITS programms include RFID, 5.9GHz DSRC, passive techonolgies, tec.

See the original article:
US officials very interested in VMT/road use charges - ITSA people

and the statement from Turnock, the CTO of Mark IV:
http://www.tollroadsnews.com/sites/default/files/Turnock.pdf

The Vehicle Infrastrcture Integration (VII) Program Adopted A New Name: IntelliDrive(SM )

The well know initiative of Research Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) , Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) program, adopted a new name and logo for attracting growing interest and excitement across the global transportation research community.

The newly adopted name, according to the announcement from RITA on Jan. 9, 2009, is IntelliDrive^SM. And the new logo can be found at: http://www.its.dot.gov/intellidrive/index.htm. According to the announcement, "Though its name has changed, the IntelliDrive^SM program's focus remains: to develop a networked environment supporting very high speed transactions among vehicles (V2V), and between vehicles and infrastructure components (V2I) or hand held devices (V2D) to enable numerous safety and mobility applications."

The original version of this announcement
IntelliDriveSM - Q&A

ITS Research at Tongji University, China

Thanks to Google web alert, I got a chance to learn the research performed at Broadband Wireless Communication and Multimedia Laboratory, Tongji University, China. There are some very impressive demonstrations showing their researches on Dedicated Short Range Communication system, Pedestrian and Vehicle Detection based on Video and Autonomous Driving Vehicle.

For the for information and the demonstration videos clips can be found at:
http://wm.tongji.edu.cn/research_areas.aspx

Have fun! :-)

Intelligent In-Vehicle Road Management Boosts Hybrid-Car Efficiency

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is believed to be effective in improving transportation safety and efficiency. For a driver, the most concerned benefits are time saving and fuel efficiency. An article from Peter Fairley, IEEE Spectrum Online, reports the research by Yaoyu Li, an mechatronics expert in University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, which has developed control algorithms that use route and traffic data to allow hybrid vehicles to plan how and when to use stored battery power so as to burn as little gasoline as possible.


PHOTO: David Lewis/iStockphoto (source IEEE Spectrum on-line)

"The idea has merit, according to Tom Robinson, senior manager, control and electronics, at automotive-systems supplier Ricardo, in Shoreham-by-Sea, England. “If you know what’s forthcoming, you can inform vehicle systems to operate more effectively,” says Robinson, whose company has worked on similar algorithms for conventional hybrids. "

The foreseeable effective ITS would consist not only the infrastructure and solutions providing the real-time information from environments, but also mechanisms that use such information and turn the information into real profits for users. Li's research exactly addressed and revealed the potential of the latter.

Article source and photo courtesy: Software Looks at the Road Ahead to Boost Hybrid-Car Efficiency, by Peter Fairley First Published February 2009

Demonstration of Inter-vehicle Communication with Dedicated Moniter in Japan

Japan, 4th Feb, 2009 -- In the field test of an inter-vehicle communication system, which was conduced by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism in late January 2009, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) Ltd and Mitsubishi Motors Corp employed a on-board system with dedicated monitor for warning the driver about the approaching risks. Whereas, other carmakers use the navigation screen to alert the driver in their systems, e.g., Honda Motor Co Ltd, Mazda Motor Corp and Nissan Motor Co Ltd.
The dedicated monitor overpermes the navigation screen due to the fact that drivers can check the dedicated monitor with less eye movenment.

As illustrated in the following pictures, the dedicated monitor provide warnings by changing the color, indicating the kind and the direttion of dangers with large icons, which are all easy to identifiy for drivers.

"A dedicated monitor is installed on the car navigation monitor. When no vehicle is approaching, the color of the screen is blue. The driver can see the blue color with little eye movement, without looking at the car navigation screen."

"The color of the dedicated monitor turns yellow when there is a vehicle approaching. And the monitor displays an icon corresponding to the type of the approaching vehicle and the possible accident type."

"Mitsubishi's test vehicle. A dedicated monitor is installed on the car navigation system."

"Icons are displayed on the monitor when there is a high risk of collision. The icons in the photo are indicating that a bicycle is moving in the opposite lane when the car is making a right turn at an intersection."

"There is a vehicle approaching in the opposite lane at a right turn."

"The dedicated monitor shows a direction (such as "E" and "W") when there is no vehicle with equipment for inter-vehicle communications in the vicinity."

"Upon the detection of a vehicle with the equipment, the monitor displays the letters "IVC." As long as there is no risk of collision, the monitor continues displaying the letters."

Source and photo courtesy techon.nikkeibp.co.jp

Traffic Information Center in Bangkok

The intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Thailand Association and National Electronic and Computer Technology Center (Nectec) is going to implement a pilot project, namely the Traffic Information Center. The Traffic Information Center is to offer travelers real-time traffic information so they can choose the best routes for city journeys. The center pools, analyzes and sells the traffic-related information supplied by partner organizations, including Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), Don Mueang Tollway, the Traffic Police, and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP).

The processed real-time information will be disseminated by a group of organizations acting as traffic information distributors.

"For example, Taxi radio stations can be one traffic information distributor. Instead of collecting data and developing their own traffic-information systems, taxi radio stations can partner with ITS Thailand to distribute information to their networks of taxi drivers," Passakon said.

Mobile phone operators are also expected to become partners of the new centre, to provide traffic information via cellphones, and newly-established companies providing paid services to drivers with in-car navigation systems are also expected to join the new system.

as stated in the original report: Real-time traffic information to be pooled, analysed and sold

Intelligent Transpotation System -- Development in the U.S.

"Smart Highway Lab" in Michigan
11-18-2008 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced to deploy advanced technology along the Telegraph Road corridor in Oakland Country for the sake of next generation vehicle safety and mobility applications. In this plan, the DSRC radios will be used to broadcast traffic signal information.

"The connected vehicle concept gives us the unique opportunity to shape the future of transportation by improving safety and mobility on heavily traveled highways and permitting countless other applications that can help us all spend more time with our families and less time on the road," said MDOT director Kirk T. Steudle.


"Smart Way" in Tennessee
11-18-2008, advanced information technologies are used for improving the safety and operation of highway and public transit in the TDOT SmartWay project. The components of SmartWay include roadway traffic sensor, camera video surveillance, dynamic message signs, hellp freeway service patrols, transportation management centers, incident management, construction information, TDOT Smartway Information System (TSIS), and Information on Weather-Related Road Conditions.

Tyco Electronics' WiMAX Based System will Serve for Pennsylvania Highway Administration

Lowell, Mass., U.S., - Nov, 17th - Announce by Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems, VIDA (Voice, Interoperability, Data, Access) broadband communication network from Tyco has been selected by Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) for improving the public safety and helping reduce the roadway congestion. The VIDA system will support the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) by transmitting real-tiomoe video to the PTC's traffic operations center in Harrisburg.

The selected VIDA broadband systems are based on the IEEE 802.16 (or WiMAX) technologies, which can provide better QoS and avoid the interference problem as suffered by those systems that work on the 2.4GHz or 5GHz license free band., e.g. WiFi. Besides, this system provides also easy of management and good scalability based on the full IP network solution.

ABOUT TYCO ELECTRONITC
"Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems is a leading supplier of critical communications systems and equipment for public safety, utility, federal and select commercial markets. Tyco Electronics Wireless System’s products range from some of the most advanced IP-based voice and data networks, to traditional wireless systems that offer customers the highest levels of reliability, interoperability, scalability and security. More information about Tyco Electronics Wireless System’s solutions can be found on the Web at http://www.tycoelectronics.com."

Kapsch Launched 5.9 GHz Module for On-Board Communication Systems

"Interoperable platform supports wide range commercial, safety and mobility applications.
New York, NY November 17, 2008 -- Kapsch TrafficCom Inc., international supplier of innovative road traffic telematics solutions, today launched its eWAVE Embedded WAVE module, a compact 5.9 GHz Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) wireless module designed for integration into on-board and roadside 5.9GHz DSRC communication systems."

Related readings:

Kapsch Launches 5.9 GHz DSRC Module for On-Board Communications Systems

Launches Next Generation MNCU R1551 for Transportation Infrastructure at 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems

Sirit Demonstrates 5.9GHz Broadband Wireless DSRC Packet Sniffer

"11/17/08 - Sirit Inc. (TSX: SI) announced during the ITS World Congress show in New York City that they will demonstrate a Dedicated Short Range Communications ("DSRC") Packet Sniffer at the ITS World Congress using the event's "11th Avenue Theatre" Vehicle Infrastructure Integration ("VII") technology demonstration area."

ITS America Announces Finalists for the 2008 Best of ITS Awards

To best review the activities of American ITS society in year 2008 before the ITS world conference 2008 in New York, this might be a good reference:

(Original released can be found at http://www.itsa.org/press_release_content/c217_d2541/News/Newsroom/Press_Releases_.html)

ITS America Announces Finalists for the 2008 Best of ITS Awards

"The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) announces the finalists for the 2008 Best of ITS Awards.

Presented by ITS America, the Best of ITS Awards is the only program in the world that honors the most innovative, effective, and influential achievements in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) industry. This highly competitive program recognizes the organizations whose projects have demonstrated specific and measurable outcomes and exemplified innovation by establishing a “new dimension” of performance.

The finalists were selected from among more than 40 entries by an expert panel of judges. The categories and finalists are:

Best New Innovative Product or Service:

• IdaTech - iGen Power System

• CalTrans - Sensys Wireless Vehicle Detection System

• CalTrans District 7 - Route 210 Conjestion Relief Project

• Florida DOT - iVEDDS: Inter-Agency Video and Event Data Distribution System

• CATT at the University of Maryland - Operations Academy Senior Management

• Kapsch - Multiband Configurable Networking Unit (MCNU)

• Nissan North America - Nissan Safety Shield 2007

• Visteon Corporation - The Visteon Light Vehicle Integrated Vehicle Based Safety System

• MTC and SAIC - San Francisco Bay Area 511

• San Diego Association of Governments/ California DOT - San Diego Region's 511 Advanced Traveler Information System

Best New Innovative Practices:

• New York City DOT - The Applied Solid-state Traffic Controller

• CalTrans - The VII California Program

• CalTrans - Infotek Demonstration Project

• Kapsch - ITS World Congress 2008 VII Partnership

• NAVTEQ - NAVTEQ- Missouri DOT Advanced Traveler Information Services Project

• Utah DOT - Partnership with Utah's Telecommunications Companies

• BMW of North America - The Next Generation Telematics Protocol (NGTP)

• Delcan - Lake County Passage Project

• Telegra Inc - Fuel Cell-Powered Trailer-Mounted LED Signs

• Michigan DOT- MDOT VII Model Deployment

• CalTrans District 7 - District 7 Adaptive Traffic Signal Project

• Mississippi DOT - Reconnecting Mississippi's Coastal Communities Through ITS

• Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University- Partnerships for Deploying Animal Vehicle Crash Mitigation Strategies

• CalTrans - Mobile Century: A Novel Approach to Traffic Data Collection from GPS-Equipped Mobile Phones

• ITS Midwest - Safety Assistance for Freeway Emergencies Patrol

• CalTrans District 4 - Commuter Travel Time Information System

Outstanding ITS America State Chapter:

• ITS California

• ITS Florida

• ITS Georgia

• ITS Minnesota

• ITS Virginia

Awards will be presented in each category on Monday, Nov. 17 in a special ceremony during at ITS America’s 2008 Annual Meeting & Exposition held in conjunction with the 15th World Congress on ITS in New York City.

More information on the award programs and ITS America’s 2008 Annual Meeting & Exposition and the 15th World Congress on ITS is available at www.itsa.org.

About the Intelligent Transportation Society of America:

The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is the leading advocate for ITS development and deployment in the United States. ITS America was established in 1991 as a not-for-profit organization to foster the use of advanced technologies in surface transportation systems. Members include corporations, public interest groups, universities and research laboratories, and government agencies at all levels. ITS America works closely with the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of the National ITS Program and serves as an invaluable resource to its members in the areas of technology, domestic public policy, international relations, and business development. For more information, visit www.itsa.org."