Research Archive

Research Progress & Insights Research Plan

Track 1: Website Development

Research Accomplishments
  • A newly redesigned website for the ITS Program was unveiled at the Transportation Research Board annual meeting in January 2011.
  • The website includes new sections with video, fact sheets, and an image library.
  • The website now contains online sections featuring technology transfer, the Safety Pilot, procurement opportunities, and public meetings.
Critical Research Insights
  • Content on the website has helped to generate a significant increase in traffic to the site.
Next Steps
  • Continue to increase the number and variety of fact sheets on the site.
  • Add new animation section that illustrates how connected vehicles will work in the future.
  • Expand the press room section of the website to accommodate increasing media interest in the Safety Pilot Program.

Track 2: Stakeholder Outreach

Research Accomplishments
  • Added Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn as new ways to communicate with industry stakeholders.
  • Significantly increased the number of email subscribers to the ITS Program website.
  • Held summer webinar series to showcase various aspects of the connected vehicle mobility program.
  • Held two annual Connected Vehicle Safety and Policy Meetings.
  • Released the Connected Vehicle Technology Challenge (CVTC) and the ITS Video Challenge to solicit innovative ideas from ITS stakeholders.
Critical Research Insights
  • The ITS Program’s Twitter account has more than 500 followers, and more than 500 stakeholders have signed up for regular e-mail alerts. More than 200 tweets and email alerts have been sent out since January 2010.
  • More than 125 stakeholders submitted ideas for the ITS Video Challenge and the CVTC.
  • Electronic communications through online media such as email, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn have become the leading ways that stakeholders learn about ITS Program public meetings and other stakeholder opportunities.
  • The number of public meetings hosted by the ITS Program increased from 9 in 2010 to 19 in 2011.
Next Steps
  • Increase the use of stakeholder social media outlets such as association Facebook pages and LinkedIn groups.

Track 3: Stakeholder Community Diversification

Research Accomplishments
  • Produced the first stakeholder engagement plan, which featured an inventory of related stakeholder groups.
  • Developed new stakeholder relationships with a number of groups outside of the traditional ITS community including Lifesavers, the Consumer Electronics Association, the American Public Works Association, and others.
  • Hosted a demonstration of connected vehicle technology for members of Congress, Congressional staff, and a number of non-traditional
  • Hosted “Demonstration Days” to expose local stakeholders to connected vehicle technology. The demonstrations took place in Michigan, Minnesota, Florida, Texas, and California.
Critical Research Insights
  • The number of stakeholder groups in the ITS Program database has increased dramatically.
  • The number of invitations for the ITS Program to speak at industry conferences continues to rise.
Next Steps
  • Develop fact sheets about the connected vehicle program and other ITS-related subjects that are tailored for individual stakeholder groups.

Track 4: Communications and Outreach Strategy Development

Research Accomplishments
  • The US DOT hosted a media event to showcase connected vehicle technology during the ITS World Congress in October 2011.
  • The ITS Program created a Safety Pilot background section on its website.
  • The ITS Program has developed easy-to-understand fact sheets about how connected vehicles can improve safety, mobility, and the environment.
  • Videos and graphics available on the ITS Program website have helped to illustrate how connected vehicle technology works.
Critical Research Insights
  • Media coverage of the connected vehicle research program has increased, particularly in top-tier media outlets. Appendix C provides a list of media sources that have covered the connected vehicle program over the last two years.
  • The US DOT has developed a communications strategy with UMTRI to educate the public and the ITS industry about the upcoming Safety Pilot Model Deployment. UMTRI is the test conductor for the model deployment.
Next Steps
  • In the summer of 2012, the US DOT and UMTRI began the Safety Pilot Model Deployment. The demonstration will run from August 2012 to September 2013. This will be an important media and communications opportunity for the US DOT.