31 August 2010

The initial request for ideas for applications that show the potential to transform mobility was closed on 31 July 2010. A second call for ideas will be issued. The new date for submission of ideas will be 15 October 2010. The U.S. DOT Dynamic Mobility Applications team will work with stakeholders from the public and private sectors, and the academia to prioritize the collection of suggested applications of interest either for further development or for testing in Phase II of the Program.

So far there have been 46 submittals received with a total of 49 application ideas, including six Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) - U.S. DOT Day 1 applications (#41, #42, #43, #44, #45, #46). Four of the submitted ideas are on traffic control concepts (#1, #13, #14, #44). One concept makes use of an agent based approach to assist in safe and efficient traversal through an intersection by controlling the speed of the vehicle (#13). The second concept makes use of a similar approach to give “priority” (#14). The third makes use of SmartPhones to detect pedestrians on crosswalks and detect impending vehicle collisions to modify signal control (#1). The fourth is a Day 1 application (#44).

Eleven application concepts pertain to traveler information #18, #22, #29, #31, #32b, #36b, #39, #41, #42, #45, #7). One of the concepts pertains to traveler information that is tailored to personal devices, specifically iPhones (#29). This concept also makes use of the data to analyze traveler actions. A second concept provides weather-related traveler information for pedestrians and bicyclists (#22). Five of these deal with the provision of traveler information, and propose making use of real-time traffic, transit and parking information to enable multi-modal trip choices (#18, #31, #32b, #36b, #39). The I-66 Enhanced Traveler Information concept will provide traveler information via 511 and dynamic message signs (DMS) (#32b). The more transformative concepts discussed need for making traveler information available via mobile devices, the internet, and interactive screens at transit stations, park and ride locations, and roadside inspection stations (#18, #31, #39). The concept of Device and Probe Vehicle Data for Traveler Information requires low latency, high speed communications, and proposes integrating probe data, engine data available through OBD II port, and other data from existing 511 system sources (#36b). This concept proposes the capture and fusion of data that can potentially be used for multiple applications (including eco route guidance).

There are 11 active traffic and demand management strategies (#12, #16, #17, #32a, #33b, #34, #35, #37, #42, #43, #46), including several on variations of speed harmonization and one on tolling from the VII Day 1 Applications (#46). Variable speed limits may be viewed as the first stage in traffic flow management since it provides speed advisories at a local level (#16, #37). The proposed concepts of cooperative cruise control (#17) and traffic flow management (#34) are intermediate stages. Traffic flow management gives traffic managers the ability to influence gaps between vehicles and speeds, thereby providing control at a larger scale. The final stage is ad hoc platooning (#35). Ad hoc platooning will have the most benefit when there is sufficient market penetration. In the near term, with limited market penetration, ad hoc platooning concept will work only if connected vehicle-enabled vehicles find each other. In the long term, there is potential for significant benefits.

There are 10 transit-related applications (#4, #39, #40, #5, #18, #31, #32b, #36b, #2, #11). Not all of these were submitted as transit ideas, but are relevant since they deal with provision of multi-modal traveler information. Two of the 10 concepts are applicable only to transit (#4, #40). The concept of Dynamic Transit Dispatching (#4) proposes making use of mobile devices, AVL systems, and 3G/4G communications to enhance the dial-a-ride concept. The concept of Smart Transit Signal Priority (#40), in the near term, will make use of existing transit ITS technologies (AVL systems, APC, etc.) and where available, connected vehicle RSE, OBE, and SPaT data to give priority to transit. In the long term, priority decisions will be made either at the RSE or at the signal controller with RSE communication. To realize full impacts, sufficient market penetration and high speed, low latency communications are required. Six of the 10 ideas are relevant not only to transit but also to other modes. Five of these deal with the provision of traveler information (#18, #31, #32b, #36b, #39). The sixth concept (#5) is on route guidance, wherein a central system monitors the network to provide route guidance to freight, transit and GP travelers by maximizing system throughput.

There are seven freight-related application concepts (#15, #20, #23, #24, #26, #28, #38). Two freight application concepts (#23, #26) make use of real-time traveler information and freight specific data for: dynamic routing, adaptive signal control along corridors to favor freight movement, and load-matching (minimize bobtail truck trips). In addition, one of the concepts (#23) will make use of telemetry data to identify incidents to improve response and clearance times. A third freight concept also makes use of real-time traveler information and freight information for pickup and delivery management (#24).

Four concepts target rural roads (#6, #8, #9, #10), including one each on Mayday relay, MDSS communications, animal avoidance and excessive curve speed warning.

There are two concepts that are specific to pedestrians/bicyclists (#1, #22). One of the concepts (#22) makes use of weather data to inform travelers of weather and pavement conditions on sidewalks and bike lanes via the internet as well as mobile devices.

Four are weather-related ideas (#7, #8, #22, #41), including one from the VII Day 1 Application on the use of Vehicle Data Translator (VDT) to provide weather-traveler information (#41). There is one environmental-related application (#21) on eco-driving. Dynamic ridesharing was another proposed concept (#25) that informs drivers through voice-activated technology of potential ridematches.

There are a few submitted concepts that may not be applicable to the Dynamic Mobility Applications Program. The proposed concepts of Dynamic Harmonization (#27), GPS Data Aggregator (#2) and Traffic Information Center (#3), and Automated 511 updating (#7) may be more relevant to Real Time Data Capture and Management Program, since these deal with the capture, integration, and provision of data. The concept of APTA TCIP Communications (#11) proposes integrating standard interoperable TCIP communications dialogs with connected vehicle networks. This might be more relevant to Standards or the Systems Engineering activities. The Specialized Freight Mobility Initiative (#28) is not an application concept. Real-time detection of illegal substances (#15), Pay-As-You-Drive-And-You-Save (PAYDAYS) insurance (#19) and Sub-Second Real Time Analytics and Alerts (#30) may not be relevant to the Dynamic Mobility Applications program.

Seven of the 46 submittals were proposed by stakeholders from academia, 14 were from State DOTs/MPOs/Local governments, 10 were from the private sector, four from NGOs, and 11 from the federal government. Of the 49 ideas, 16 leverage existing or ongoing research that the contributor is involved in.

Application Ideas

• Vehicle and Infrastructure to Pedestrian (V/I to P)
• GPS Data Aggregator
• TIC, Traffic Information Center
• Dynamic Transit Dispatching
• Dynamic pathing of vehicles within a corridor to balance volume/capacity
• Mayday relay
• Automated 511 updating
• Enhanced MDSS Communications
• Animal avoidance warning
• Excessive curve speed warning
• Family Friendly HOV Intelligent Access System
• Adaptive Speed Control for Safe and Efficient Traversal of Intersections
• Achieving Immediate Intersection Control Benefits via a New Protocol for Future Fully Autonomous Vehicles
• Real-time (dynamic and wireless) detection of illegal substances and explosives in the mobile supply chain
• Variable Speed Limits for Bottleneck Mitigation
• Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC)
• Optimal Multi-Mode Travel Guidance
• Pay-As-You-Drive-And-You-Save (PAYDAYS) insurance
• NASCO Corridor Data Gateway Framework
• Connected Eco-Driving
• Real-Time Route Specific Weather Information for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
• Memphis Lamar Corridor Freight Congestion Mitigation
• Adaptive Pickup and Delivery Management System
• Dynamic Ridesharing: Intelligent Carpooling for the Information Age
• South Florida Virtual Freight Network
• Dynamic Harmonization (collect, store, manage and distribute) of Real-Time roadside data; to improve accuracy, precision and speed of information flow for system managers and end users.
• Specialized Freight Mobility Initiative
• Providing Alternative Routing using traffic management, arterial and historical data to Personal Traveler Devices
• Sub-Second Real Time Analytics & Alerts for Traffic, Transportation and Logistics
• Suite of Technologies for Optimal Multimodal Route Selection
• I-66 Active Traffic Management and Traveler Information Enhancements (#32a: I-66 Active Traffic Management. 32b: Traveler Information Enhancements)
• Overheight Vehicle Detection and Queue Warning System for Hampton Roads (#33a: Overheight Vehicle Detection. 33b: Queue Warning System)
• Traffic Flow Management
• Ad Hoc Platooning
• Device and Probe Vehicle Data for Advanced Transportation Network Performance and Traveler Information (#36a: Network Performance. 36b: Traveler Information)
• Driver Centric Active Traffic Management through Speed and Travel Guidance
• Mid West Transportation Corridor
• Multi-modal Real-time Traveler Decision Support (MRTDS)
• Smart Transit Signal Priority (STSP)
• Weather Information (VII Day 1 Application)
• Corridor Management (VII Day 1 Application)
• Ramp Metering (VII Day 1 Application)
• Signal Timing Optimization (VII Day 1 Application)
• Public Sector Traveler Information (VII Day 1 Application)
• Electronic Payments: Toll Roads (VII Day 1 Application)