Intelligent transport systems and

management
EEGQ 5273

Course lecturer: Pamela Ochungo

Bsc (hons), Msc, PhD
 Definition of ITS
Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are advanced
applications which, without embodying intelligence as such, aim
to provide innovative services relating to different modes of
transport and traffic management and enable various users to
be better informed and make safer, more coordinated, and
'smarter' use of transport networks (Wikipedia, 2016).
 Definition of ITS
• Although ITS may refer to all modes of transport,
EU Directive 2010/40/EU (7 July 2010) defines ITS
as ‘systems in which information and
communication technologies are applied in the
field of road transport, including
1) infrastructure,
2) vehicles and users, and in
3) traffic management and mobility management,
as well as for interfaces with other modes of
transport.
•In the U.S., ITS is further motivated by an increasing focus
on homeland security.

•Many of the proposed ITS systems also involve surveillance of

the roadways, which is a priority of homeland security.

•Further, ITS can play a role in the rapid mass evacuation of

people in urban centers after large casualty events such as a
result of a natural disaster or threat.

•Much of the infrastructure and planning involved with ITS

parallels the need for homeland security systems.
 ITS Technologies
4 technologies are involved in ITS:
• Sensors - Roadway Sensors, Microwave Radar Detectors, Infrared
Sensors, Ultrasonic Detectors, Acoustic Detectors,
Magnetometers.

• Communication - electronic road pricing, online travel

information, vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

• Computing - computerised traffic signalling and automatic and

eco-driver assistance

• Algorithms – computer vision algorithms, traffic flow guidance

algorithms, etc
ITS applications:
Basic management systems :
•car navigation;
•traffic signal control systems;
•container management systems;
•variable message signs;
•automatic number plate recognition or speed cameras to
monitor applications, such as security CCTV systems;
ITS applications:
• more advanced applications that integrate
live data and feedback from a number of
other sources, such as:
• parking guidance and information systems;
• weather information; bridge de-icing systems;
• Additionally, predictive techniques are being
developed to allow advanced modelling and
comparison with historical baseline data.
Example of ITS infrastructure
Vehicle
telematics is
used to
describe
vehicle
onboard
communication
services and
applications
that
communicate
with one
another via
GPS
receivers and
other telematics
devices. The
most common
application of
this is vehicle
tracking
 Goals for ITS

• Improved Safety
• Reduced Congestion
• Increased and Higher Quality Mobility
• Reduced Environmental Impact
• Improved Energy Efficiency
• Improved Economic Productivity
 Recent US history
• Early 1970s Electronic Route Guidance (ERGS)
• 1986 California (CALTRANS)
• 1987 Federal government (FHWA)
• 1990 Mobility 2000
• 1991 Formation of ITS America
• 1991-2 Strategic Plan Development
• 1991 ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act)
• 1994 ITS Architecture Contracts
• 1996 Major Regional Initiatives
• 1997 Automated Highway Demonstration in San Diego
• 1998 TEA-21
• 2002/3 Ten-Year ITS Plan
• 2003/4 TEA-21 Reauthorization
 Enabling technologies
• Intelligent Transportation System integrates current and
growing communication technologies.
• Due to emergence of many technologies, the
transportation system is able to improve transportation
conditions, safety and services.
1) Wireless communications
2) Computational technologies
3) Floating car data/floating cellular data
4) Sensing technologies
5) Inductive loop detection
6) Video vehicle detection
7) Bluetooth detection
 Wireless communications
• Definition: Mobile wireless sensor networks are
self-organizing mobile networks where nodes
exchange data without the need for an underlying
infrastructure.
• Within the vehicle, the devices may provide
wireless connection to various information and
communication technologies components in the
vehicle and connect with sensors and other devices
within the engine management system.
• Advances in portable devices – smartphones,
PDAs, and navigation systems may exploit the
possibility of interconnection using in-vehicle
communications.
 Wireless communications
-These provide network connectivity to vehicles and interconnect
them. It is a key class of technology that has been identified as having
a significant role in delivering future intelligence to the transport
sector.
-Wireless networks connect the devices, transmit the data through
signals and use medium (radio wave, microwave) for transferring
and sharing the data between nodes.

-In particular, the fusion of fixed and mobile networks that will help
deliver sustainable and robust future transportation systems based on
better data collection, its processing and dissemination and the
intelligent use of data in a fully connected environment.

-The important innovations in wireless and digital electronics are

beginning to support many applications in the areas of safety,
environmental and emissions control, driving assistance, diagnostics
and maintenance in the transport domain.
 Wireless communications
• Wireless sensor networks offer an attractive choice for
low-cost, easy to deploy solutions for intelligent
transportation applications.

• Various forms of wireless communications technologies

have been proposed for intelligent transportation
systems.

• Radio modem communication

on UHF and VHF frequencies are widely used for short
and long range communication within ITS.
 UHF vs VHF
• Interference due to electrical equipment, digital
devices, computers and other electronic
equipment is generally lower at UHF frequencies.
• This is because noise from these sources becomes
less intense as the frequency increases.
• Also, since VHF wavelengths are longer than their
UHF counterparts, enabling them to travel greater
distances and pass through obstructions like walls
and ceilings, all types of interference will travel
farther, and thus be more problematic, at VHF
frequencies.
• But while UHF systems are less likely to suffer
interference, they are more costly than VHF
systems.
 Radio Modem Communications:
• Radio Modem Communication and modems are
use to send data between two locations, typically
the distance of modems 16-64 km range.
• The frequencies of Radio modems are UHF (Ultra
High Frequency) and VHF (Very High Frequency)
frequencies.
• In this type of communication the information is
broadcast in traffic congestion and in
emergencies via FM radio band, through the
system warn drivers about weather changing etc.
 Radio Modem communications
Typically radio modem communication users are:
1) Fleet Management
2) Automated Meter Reading (AMR)
3) Telemetry Applications
4) SCADA (supervisory control and data
acquisition) Applications
5) Land Survey
 Short range wireless communications
-Short -range communications of 350 m can be
accomplished using IEEE 802.11 protocols,
specifically WAVE or the Dedicated Short Range
Communications.
Dedicated short range communications
What is DSRC?
•DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) is a two-
way short- to- medium-range wireless communications
capability that permits very high data transmission critical in
communications-based active safety applications.
 Short range wireless communications
•In the US, a joint program is conducting research using DSRC
and other wireless communications technologies to ensure
safe, interoperable connectivity to help prevent vehicular
crashes of all types and to enhance mobility and
environmental benefits across all transportation system
modes.
•The U.S. Dept of Transportation’s commitment to DSRC for
active safety communications contributes to safer driving.
•Vehicle safety applications that use vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)
and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications need
secure, wireless interface dependability in extreme weather
conditions, and short time delays; all of which are facilitated
by DSRC.
•V2V and V2I applications utilizing
.. DSRC may have the
potential to significantly reduce many of the most deadly
types of crashes through real time advisories alerting
drivers to imminent hazards–such as:

1) veering close to the edge of the road;

2) vehicles suddenly stopped ahead;
3) collision paths during merging;
4) the presence of nearby communications devices and
vehicles;
5) sharp curves or slippery patches of roadway ahead.
• Convenience V2I services like e-parking and toll
payment are also able to communicate using
DSRC.
• Anonymous information from electronic
sensors in vehicles and devices can also be
transmitted over DSRC to provide better traffic
and travel condition information to travelers
and transportation manager.
• DSRC Technology Behind Crash Prevention and Mobility
Supports

• Active safety transportation applications

• Reliable, secure communications

• Fast communication speed low latency

• Invulnerability to extreme weather

• Tolerance of multi-path transmissions

• Technology based on standards to enable interoperability

Advantages of DSRC
DSRC was developed with a primary goal of enabling
technologies that support safety applications and
communication between vehicle-based devices and
infrastructure to reduce collisions. DSRC is the only short-
range wireless alternative today that provides:
•Designated licensed bandwidth: For secure, reliable
communications to take place. It is primarily allocated for
vehicle safety applications.
•Fast Network Acquisition: Active safety applications
require the immediate establishment of communication
and frequent updates.
•Low Latency: Active safety applications must recognize
each other and transmit messages to each other in
milliseconds without delay.
• High Reliability when Required: Active safety
applications require a high level of link reliability.
DSRC works in high vehicle speed mobility conditions
and delivers performance immune to extreme
weather conditions (e.g. rain, fog, snow, etc.).
• Priority for Safety Applications: Safety applications
on DSRC are given priority over non-safety
applications.
• Interoperability: DSRC ensures interoperability,
which is the key to successful deployment of active
safety applications, using widely accepted standards.
It supports both V2V and V2I communications.
• Security and Privacy: DSRC provides safety message
authentication and privacy.
DSRC enables the most reliable, high speed vehicle-
based technology for crash prevention safety
applications
• DSRC provides for a broad cross-section
of dedicated connectivity options for
surface transportation safety

• DSRC based communications serves as

the basis for connected vehicle safety
and mobility application integration.
Potential DSRC Transportation Applications for
Public Safety and Traffic Management
• Blind spot warnings
• Forward collision warnings
• Sudden braking ahead warnings
• Do not pass warnings
• Intersection collision avoidance and movement assistance
• Approaching emergency vehicle warning
• Vehicle safety inspection
• Transit or emergency vehicle signal priority
• Electronic parking and toll payments
• Commercial vehicle clearance and safety inspections
• In-vehicle signing
• Rollover warning
• Traffic and travel condition data to improve traveler
information and maintenance services
 Long range wireless communications
• Longer range communications have been
proposed using infrastructure networks such
as WiMAX (IEEE 802.16), Global System for
Mobile Communications(GSM), or 3G.

• Long-range communications using these

methods are well established, but, unlike the
short-range protocols, these methods require
extensive and very expensive infrastructure
deployment.
 Long range wireless
• The WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) comprises two sets of
standards: 802.16-2004 (802.16d) fixed WiMAX and
802.16-2005 (802.16e) for mobile WiMAX. The
WiMAX range up to 30 miles (50 kms) and data rate
of up to 70 Mbps.

• GSM and 3G telecommunication networks are used

for long-range communication in the transportation
sector.
 Advantages and disadvantages of WiMax technology
Advantages
1. Single station can serve hundreds of users
2. Much faster deployment of new users compared to wired networks
3. Speed of 10Mbs at 10 kms with line-of-site
4. It is standardized, and same frequency equipment should work
together
Disadvantages
1. Line of site is needed for longer connections
2. Weather conditions like rain could interrupt the signal
3. Other wireless equipment could cause interference
4. Multiplied frequencies are used
5. WiMAX is very power intensive and requires strong electrical
support
6. Big installation and operational cost