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Advanced Vehicle and Information Network Systems
Center of Innovation

View PDF (PDF, 1.45 MB) (Posted 2/4/09)

Trends and Issues

Advanced vehicle and information network systems for transportation encompass a broad range of wireless communications-based information and electronics technologies. When integrated into the transportation system, these technologies improve safety, relieve congestion, improve safety, and enhance American productivity. Today’s movement toward open standards and networks for major transportation infrastructure investments increases the likelihood of long-term interoperability and inclusion of rapidly evolving new wireless standards. These developments present promising opportunities for innovation.

COI Profile

The Advanced Vehicle and Information Network Systems COI provides systems engineering and analysis, operations research and related capabilities to identify, assess, and deploy advanced technologies and new operational strategies to reduce the frequency and consequences of transportation-related crashes. Assesses alternative approaches for overcoming institutional, financial, technical, and other barriers to the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) at the local, regional, and national level. Has been at the vanguard of research, development, and deployment of ITS for more than 20 years.

Project Snapshots

• Conducted pilot tests for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of sensors that anticipate and warn drivers of crash risks associated with lane changes and roadway departures. Deployment and use of advanced onboard sensors and telematics can significantly improve the safety of passenger vehicles and trucks.
• Performed analyses of the current state of the vehicle rollover problem for NHTSA, evaluating recent trends in crashes, and assessing the effectiveness of newer vehicle safety features. Rollover crashes represent a disproportionately large number of highway fatalities.
• Defined for the ITS Joint Program Office (JPO), the target crash problem and estimating benefits for vehicle-to-vehicle communications and vehicle-positioning technology.
• Developed the SafeTrip-21 program for the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and JPO. SafeTrip-21 expands the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) program and integrates a wide variety of ITS information, navigation, and communication technologies into field tests to improve safety and alleviate congestion.

• Supports the U.S. DOT and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in emergency response and long-term recovery efforts following natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and terrorist attacks, serving as a liaison and coordinator for DOT, FEMA, and other Federal agencies participating in recovery efforts, and as a U.S. DOT regional emergency transportation representative.
• Developed an Innovation Roundtable on Advanced Wireless Communication for the Transportation Sector on behalf of RITA—a landmark forum on how to enable Internet and wireless communications technologies to better allow vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, and infrastructure-to-system manager communications in order to avoid crashes and improve situational awareness.
• Provided technical assistance in the use and promotion of the travel demand modeling tool in support of FHWA’s Transportation Analysis Simulation System (TRANSIMS) program.

• Assisted the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) in multimodal analyses of congestion and developed alternative transportation and wayfinding systems, including evaluating ITS applications and innovative financing. The multimodal expertise of the Volpe Center helped the NPS to plan and implement economically and environmentally sustainable transportation systems.
• Provided support to the ITS Joint Program Office since 1994, including the development of program plans, the creation of websites, and development of a professional capacity building program.

For more information

Name: Anne Aylward
Acting Director, Center of Innovation for Advanced Vehicle and Information Network Systems
Email: Anne.Aylward@dot.gov
Phone number: 617-494-2191