The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Releases New Publications

The USDOT has released new reports highlighting its latest research initiatives and findings related to intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies:

• Mobility on Demand Sandbox Demonstrations Independent Evaluation (IE) - Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) First and Last Mile Solution Evaluation Plan (FHWA-JPO-18-700): ITS present an array of promising ways to improve motorcycle safety. ITS include a broad range of concepts, systems, and applications that apply advanced computation, information technology, and communications to vehicles and roadway infrastructure to improve traffic safety, mobility, and reliability. While ITS technologies have predominantly targeted automobiles and commercial vehicles, little has been done to specifically address motorcycles or motorcycle safety. To help rectify this, this project surveyed a wide range of ITS technologies with potential relevance to motorcycles; analyzed each technology's current relevance to motorcycles and potential to improve motorcycle safety; and then further investigated those technologies with strong potential to improve motorcycle safety. 

• Connected Vehicle Pilots Phase 2 Interoperability Test (FHWA-JPO-18-691): Task 3-C in Phase 3 of the Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program Cooperative Agreement calls for a Stakeholder Outreach activity that includes an interoperability activity showing successful interaction between the local Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment site and in-vehicle devices from one or more other Connected Vehicle Pilot site(s). The USDOT and the three Connected Vehicle Pilot sites--New York City, Tampa, and Wyoming--have engaged in multiple discussions about the definition of interoperability and approaches to conduct a limited demonstration of interoperability during Phase 2 that is supportive of the future Task 3-C activity. This document is the official planning document for Connected Vehicle Pilot Phase 2 Interoperability Test. The purpose of the test was to test vehicle-to-vehicle interactions between different site's OBUs and vehicle-to-infrastructure interactions between selected OBUs and RSUs. 

• I-35 Freight Advanced Traveler Information System (FRATIS) Impacts Assessment - Final Report (FHWA-JPO-18-694): Under the Dynamic Mobility Applications Program, the USDOT sponsored the development of the FRATIS bundle, which seeks to transform freight mobility by leveraging connected vehicle technologies to maximize freight flow. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) I-35 Traveler Information During Construction system has been enhanced to help maximize freight operators' productivity, improve operational efficiency, and reduce safety-related incidents, as part of the Texas Corridor Optimization for Freight program, which is a component of the Federal Government/TxDOT cooperative agreement.