(21CV754) INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM – MODULE 2

Syllabus: Advanced traveler information systems; transportation network

operations; commercial vehicle operations and intermodal freight.

ADVANCED TRAVELLER INFORMATION SYSTEM (ATIS)

Definition of ATIS

Advanced Traveler Information Systems are intelligent transportation tools designed to provide
real-time information to travelers. They help in route planning, improving safety, and reducing
travel time by minimizing uncertainty.

Key Features of ATIS

Real-Time Information:

 Updates on traffic conditions, weather, road incidents, and detours.

 Availability of transit schedules and travel time predictions.

Pre-Trip and En-Route Services:

 Pre-Trip Services: Help users plan routes and modes of travel before departure.
 En-Route Services: Provide updates during the trip, offering dynamic route adjustments.

Multiple Communication Channels: Utilizes websites, mobile apps, variable message signs
(VMS), and in-vehicle navigation systems.

Traveler-Centric Approach: Tailored recommendations based on user preferences, including

cost, time, and environmental impact.

Components of ATIS

Data Collection Systems: Sensors, cameras, GPS devices, and crowd sourcing platforms to
gather traffic and travel data.

Data Processing Centers: Analyzes collected data to generate actionable insights.

Information Dissemination Platforms: Channels such as smartphone apps, radio, VMS, and
social media for information distribution.

Benefits of ATIS

Enhanced Mobility: Reduces congestion and travel time through optimized routing.

Safety Improvements: Warns travelers of hazards or accidents in real time.

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Environmental Impact: Minimizes fuel consumption by avoiding congestion, reducing

emissions.

Economic Benefits: Saves costs for users and operators by efficient resource utilization.

Challenges in ATIS Implementation

Data Accuracy and Timeliness: Ensuring that real-time updates are accurate and delivered
promptly.

Technology Integration: Compatibility between different systems and devices.

User Adoption: Encouraging widespread use among diverse demographics.

Privacy Concerns: Balancing data collection with user privacy.

INTERMODAL FREIGHT TRANSPORT

Intermodal freight transport refers to the use of multiple modes of transportation (like road, rail,
sea, or air) within a single logistical chain. ITS plays a crucial role in improving the efficiency,
reliability, and sustainability of intermodal freight operations by integrating advanced technology
solutions across various transport modes.

Factors to consider for Intermodal freight transport are:

1. Tracking and Monitoring

 Real-Time Tracking
 Condition Monitoring

Real-Time Tracking: ITS enables real-time tracking of goods across different transportation
modes using GPS and RFID. This provides visibility into the exact location and status of cargo
as it moves between trucks, trains, and ships, helping reduce delays and improving security.

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Condition Monitoring: Sensors can track conditions such as temperature, humidity, and shock,
ensuring that sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals or perishable items maintain quality across the
entire supply chain.

2. Optimized Scheduling and Routing

 Dynamic Routing
 Multimodal Scheduling

Dynamic Routing: ITS supports the dynamic rerouting of freight in response to real-time traffic,
weather conditions, or delays, optimizing transit times and minimizing fuel consumption.

Multimodal Scheduling: ITS coordinates scheduling across transport modes to minimize wait
times at transfer points (such as ports, terminals, or warehouses), reducing dwell time and overall
transit duration.

3. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

 Standardized Communication
 Data Integration

Standardized Communication: ITS promotes the use of EDI for standardized information
exchange between shippers, carriers, and logistics providers. This ensures seamless coordination
among stakeholders, reducing paperwork and speeding up the transfer processes.

Data Integration: ITS platforms enable the integration of data from different transport modes,
giving a unified view of cargo movement, simplifying tracking, and aiding in data-driven
decision-making.

4. Freight Terminal Operations and Automation

 Automated Terminals

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 Container Management

Automated Terminals: ITS helps automate operations at intermodal terminals, such as

automated cranes for loading/unloading and robotics for sorting and handling containers. This
reduces human error and speeds up transfer processes.

Container Management: ITS enhances container tracking within terminals, optimizing

container movements and improving storage efficiency, ensuring that containers are available
when and where they’re needed.

5. Electronic Toll Collection and Customs Processing

 Automated Toll Collection

 Customs and Border Processing

Automated Toll Collection: ITS incorporates electronic toll collection systems, allowing trucks
to move seamlessly through tolls without stopping, reducing congestion and transit time.

Customs and Border Processing: ITS enables pre-clearance and streamlined customs
procedures at borders, reducing wait times and accelerating cross-border transport.

6. Environmental and Sustainability Management

 Emission Monitoring
 Eco-Friendly Routing and Scheduling

Emission Monitoring: ITS allows for the monitoring of emissions from freight vehicles,
supporting sustainable practices and regulatory compliance across various jurisdictions.

Eco-Friendly Routing and Scheduling: ITS provides options for eco-friendly routing and mode
choices that reduce carbon footprints by maximizing the use of energy-efficient transport modes,
such as rail over road.

7. Improved Safety and Security

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 Cargo Security
 Accident Prevention and Emergency Response

Cargo Security: ITS uses smart locks, tamper-proof seals, and surveillance for enhanced cargo
security, protecting against theft and ensuring the integrity of high-value goods during transfers.

Accident Prevention and Emergency Response: ITS monitors vehicle conditions and driver
behavior, detecting potential safety risks early. In the event of an incident, it facilitates faster
emergency response through automated alerts and location-sharing features.

8. Data Analytics and Predictive Maintenance

 Predictive Analytics
 Predictive Maintenance for Equipment

Predictive Analytics: ITS collects and analyzes data from sensors, GPS, and other monitoring
systems to predict potential disruptions, improving preparedness and reducing downtime.

Predictive Maintenance for Equipment: By monitoring the condition of transport equipment

and vehicles, ITS supports predictive maintenance, minimizing breakdowns and optimizing
equipment lifespan.

By enhancing transparency, efficiency, and safety, ITS-driven solutions in intermodal freight

operations lead to faster delivery times, cost savings, and better resource utilization.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE OPERATIONS

The aim is to improve the efficiency and safety of commercial vehicle operations. This involves
following services:

 CV electronic clearance
 Automated road side safety inspection
 On-board safety monitoring administrative process
 Hazardous material incident response
 Freight Mobility

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1 Commercial Vehicle Electronic Clearance

This service allows enforcement personnel to electronically check safety status, vehicle’s
credentials, and size and weight data for the commercial vehicles before they reach an inspection
site. The authorities send the illegal or potentially unsafe vehicles only for inspection and bypass
safe and legal carriers to travel without stopping for compliance checks at weigh stations and
other inspection sites.

2 Automated Roadside Safety Inspection

At inspection station the safety requirements are checked more quickly and more accurately
during a safety inspection using automated inspection capabilities. Advanced equipments are
used to check brake, steering and suspension performance and also the driver’s performance
pertaining to driver alertness and fitness for duty.

3 On-board Safety Monitoring

This service monitors the driver, vehicle, and cargo and notify the driver, carrier, and, also to the
enforcement personnel, if an unsafe situation arises during operation of the vehicle. This is user
service also assures freight container, trailer, and commercial vehicle integrity by monitoring on-
board sensors for a breach or tamper event.

4 Commercial Vehicle Administrative Processes

This service allows carriers to purchase credentials such as fuel use taxes, trip permits,
overweight permit, or hazardous material permits automatically. The mileage and fuel reporting
and auditing components are provided to the carriers automatically which reduce significant
amount of time and paperwork.

5 Hazardous Materials Incident Response

This user service provides immediate information regarding the types and quantities of
hazardous materials present at incident location to the emergency personnel in order to facilitate
a quick and appropriate response. The emergency personnel are informed regarding shipment of
any sensitive hazardous materials so that timely action could be taken in case of accidents.

6 Freight Mobility

This service provides information to the drivers, dispatchers, and inter-modal transportation
providers, enabling carriers to take advantage of real-time traffic information, as well as vehicle
and load location information, to increase productivity.

ADVANCED VEHICLE CONTROL AND SAFETY SYSTEMS

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This user service aims to improve the safety of the transportation system by supplementing
drivers’ abilities to maintain vigilance and control of the vehicle by enhancing the crash
avoidance capabilities of vehicles.

Following user services are included in this group:

1 Longitudinal Collision Avoidance

This user service provides assistance to vehicle operators in avoiding longitudinal collisions to
the front and/or rear of the vehicle. This is achieved by implementing rear-end collision warning
and control, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), head-on collision warning and control, and backing
collision warning to the drivers.

2 Lateral Collision Avoidance

This helps drivers in avoiding accidents that result when a vehicle leaves its own lane of travel,
by warning drivers and by assuming temporary control of the vehicle. This service provides to
the drivers the lane change/blind spot situation display, collision warning control and lane
departure warning and control.

3 Intersection Collision Avoidance

This user service is specifically aimed at providing vehicle operators with assistance in avoiding
collisions at intersections. The system tracks the position of vehicles within the intersection area
through the use of vehicle-to-vehicle communications or vehicle to infrastructure
communications.

4 Vision Enhancement for Crash Avoidance

This service helps in reducing the number of vehicle crashes that occur during periods of poor
visibility by in vehicle sensors capable of capturing an image of driving environment and
providing a graphical display of the image to the drivers.

5 Safety Readiness

This helps to provide drivers with warnings regarding their own driving performance, the
condition of the vehicle, and the condition of the roadway as sensed from the vehicle.

6 Pre-Crash Restraint Deployment

This service helps in reducing the number and severity of injuries caused by vehicle collisions by
anticipating an imminent collision and by activating passenger safety systems prior to the actual
impact.

7 Automated Vehicle Operations (AVO)

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This service provides a fully automated vehicle-highway system in which instrumented vehicles
operate on instrumented roadways without operator intervention.

TRANSPORTATION NETWORK OPERATIONS (TNO)

Definition of Transportation Network Operations

Transportation Network Operations (TNO) involves the coordination and management of various
transportation modes, infrastructures, and technologies to ensure seamless movement of people
and goods.

Objectives of Transportation Network Operations

Maximizing Efficiency: Reducing congestion and travel delays and Optimal utilization of
existing infrastructure.

Enhancing Safety: Minimizing accidents and improving emergency response.

Sustainability: Reducing environmental impact by promoting cleaner transportation modes.

Reliability and Predictability: Ensuring consistent travel times and dependable service.

Key Components of TNO

Traffic Management Systems (TMS): Includes signal control, ramp metering, and traffic
monitoring systems.

Integrated Transportation Management: Collaboration across modes (e.g., road, rail, air) for
synchronized operations.

Demand Management: Strategies like congestion pricing, carpooling incentives, and

telecommuting.

Incident Management: Rapid detection, response, and clearance of traffic incidents.

Data Collection and Analysis: Use of sensors, GPS, and big data analytics to monitor system
performance.

Strategies in Transportation Network Operations

Real-Time Monitoring: Use of CCTV, IoT, and AI-based systems for continuous network
observation.

Dynamic Traffic Control: Adaptive traffic signals and variable speed limits to manage flow.

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Coordination Across Jurisdictions: Ensures interoperability between city, regional, and

national transportation systems.

Public Engagement: Real-time traveler information systems and public awareness campaigns.

Technological Integration

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS):Automated traffic signal systems, route

optimization, and incident management tools.

Advanced Analytics: Predictive models to forecast demand and preemptively manage issues.

Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs): Integration into the network for smoother and
safer operations.

Challenges in Transportation Network Operations

Infrastructure Constraints: Limited physical capacity and funding for upgrades.

Data Sharing and Privacy: Balancing the need for data with privacy concerns.

Technological Integration: Ensuring compatibility across diverse systems and platforms.

Climate and Environmental Concerns: Addressing extreme weather impacts and transitioning
to greener systems.

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