Intelligent Transportation Systems and Communications

Intelligent Transportation SystemsINDEX21.0Introduction

32.0ITS standards

33.0Key Underlying Technologies for ITS

33.1Global Positioning System (GPS).

43.2Dedicated-Short Range Communications (DSRC).

43.3Wireless Networks.

43.4Mobile Telephony.

43.5Radiowave or Infrared Beacons.

43.6Roadside Camera Recognition.

53.7Probe Vehicles or Devices.

54.0The Need for a Network

64.1Layered Communications Networks

65.0Roadmap to ITS

76.0Target system for ITS

87.0Applications of Intelligent Transport Systems:

98.0Issues related to implementation of ITS in India

99.0Conclusion

1010.0References

1Introduction Intelligent Transport Systems make it possible to imagine a future in which cars will be able to foresee and avoid collisions, navigate the quickest route to their destination, making use of up-to-the minute traffic reports, identify the nearest available parking slot and minimize their carbon emissions. ITS may be defined as systems utilizing a combination of computers, communications, positioning and automation technologies to use available data to improve the safety, management and efficiency of terrestrial transport, and to reduce environmental impact. ITS incorporates four essential components, as illustrated in Figure-1:

(a) (Vehicles, which can be located, identified, assessed and controlled using ITS;

(b) (Road users, who employ ITS, for instance, for navigation, travel information and their monitoring capabilities;

(c) (Infrastructure, for which ITS can provide monitoring, detection, response, control, road management and administration functions.

(d) Communications networks, to enable wireless transactions amongst vehicles and transport users.

Figure 1: Essential components of ITS

In an intelligent transport system traffic data at major intersections are collected and then the data is transmitted via wireless broadband networks to enable real-time remote traffic signal control. Built-in roadway sensors detect traffic tie-ups due to accidents or weather, then immediately transmit the information to the centralized traffic control center via a high-speed wireless communications network. Sensors mounted on highway-bridge infrastructures communicate with the Transportation Control Facilities to identify conditions that could lead to structural failure.

Communications are the lifeblood of intelligence. Without the ability to gather data and distribute information, the intelligence in a system will have virtually no impact on its surroundings. This is particularly true in ITS where access to and influence over the transportation system can only be achieved with an effective communications network.

2.0ITS standardsThe requirement for future standards in the ITS field is to be able to provide multiple services, over multiple different platforms, that will work in different countries (as vehicles can easily cross borders), while maintaining a simple-to-use interface that requires minimum intervention from the driver. A new set of standards Continuous Air-interface for Long- and Medium-range communications (CALM) promise to provide the underlying glue to make all this happen. CALM is intended to provide a standardized set of air interface protocols for ITS applications, using multiple network platforms.The Air Interface includes:(i) 2G mobile systems, including GSM/GPRS, which are the most widely deployed mobile network.(ii) 3G (IMT-2000) mobile systems, including W-CDMA and CDMA 1x EVDO

(iii) Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) mainly used for electronic toll collection (ETC).(iv) 802.11p/WAVE (Wireless Access for a Vehicular Environments)(v) Wireless MAN systems, including WiMAX

(vi) Broadcast signals, including GPS

(vii) Millimetre wave systems including Radio on Fibre (ROF) (viii) RFID technology to determine when vehicles have passed particular points and in this way their location. 3.0Key Underlying Technologies for ITS

3.1Global Positioning System (GPS). Embedded GPS receivers in vehicles on-board units (OBUs, a common term for telematics devices) receive signals from several different satellites to calculate the devices (and thus the vehicles) position. This requires line of sight to satellites, which can inhibit use of GPS in downtown settings due to urban canyon effects. Location can usually be determined to within ten meters. GPS is the core technology behind many in-vehicle navigation and route guidance systems. Several countries, notably Holland and Germany, are using or will use OBUs equipped with satellite-based GPS devices to record miles travelled by automobiles and/or trucks in order to implement user fees based on vehicle miles travelled to finance their transportation systems.

3.2Dedicated-Short Range Communications (DSRC).DSRC is a short- to medium-range wireless communication channel, operating in the 5.8 or 5.9GHz wireless spectrum, specifically designed for automotive uses. Critically, DSRC enables two-way wireless communications between the vehicle (through embedded tags or sensors) and roadside equipment (RSE). DSRC is a key enabling technology for many intelligent transportation systems, including vehicle-to-infrastructure integration, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, adaptive traffic signal timing, electronic toll collection, congestion charging, electronic road pricing, information provision, etc. DSRC is a subset of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The technology for ITS applications works on the 5.9 GHz band (United States) or the 5.8 GHz band (in Japan and Europe).

3.3Wireless Networks. Similar to technology commonly used for wireless Internet access, wireless networks allow rapid communications between vehicles and the roadside, but have a range of only a few hundred meters. However, this range can be extended by each successive vehicle or roadside node passing information onto the next vehicle or node.

3.4Mobile Telephony. ITS applications can transmit information over standard third or fourth generation (3G or 4G) mobile telephone networks. Advantages of mobile networks include wide availability in towns and along major roads. However, additional network capacity may be required if vehicles are fitted with this technology, and network operators might need to cover these costs. Mobile telephony may not be suitable for some safety-critical ITS applications since it may be too slow.

3.5Radiowave or Infrared Beacons.Japans Vehicle Information Communications System (VICS) uses radio wave beacons on expressways and infrared beacons on trunk and arterial roadways to communicate real-time traffic information. (Arterial roadways are moderate capacity roadways just below highways in level of service; a key distinction is that arterial roadways tend to use traffic signals. Arterial roadways carry large volumes of traffic between areas in urban centers.) VICS uses 5.8GHz DSRC wireless technology.

3.6Roadside Camera Recognition. Sensing technologies involve embedding sensors along the road or the surrounding infrastructure like traffic posts, signs and buildings. These sensors include inductive loops that can sense the vehicles' speed, the number of vehicles passing as well as the size of these vehicles. Video detection, on the other hand, involves the installation of video cameras onto road structures such as poles or billboards to detect occupancy information on the lanes, vehicle speeds, vehicles heading the wrong way, etc.Camera- or tag-based schemes can be used for zone-based congestion charging systems or for charging on specific roads. Such systems use cameras placed on roadways where drivers enter and exit congestion zones. The cameras use Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR), based on Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, to identify vehicle license plates; this information is passed digitally to back-office servers, which assess and post charges to drivers for their use of roadways within the congestion zone. Figure 2 : Typical deployment of sensors

3.7Probe Vehicles or Devices. Several countries deploy so-called probe vehicles (often taxis or government-owned vehicles equipped with DSRC or other wireless technology) that report their speed and location to a central traffic operations management center, where probe data is aggregated to generate an area-wide picture of traffic flow and to identify congested locations.

4.0The Need for a Network An effective communications system for ITS must be designed as a carefully planned network. If allowed to grow organically or on a piecemeal basis, it is unlikely to have the capabilities needed to meet current needs. The roadway system is itself a layered architecture running from the streets in a residential neighborhood to the expressways and providing high volume backbones through a region. There are four essential layers in a roadway network: Expressways Arterial Roadways Secondary Roadways Residential Streets 4.1Layered Communications Networks Similar to hierarchical roadways networks, communications networks are also organized in a hierarchical fashion and consist primarily of four main types: Backbone Layer Backhaul Layer Distribution Layer Access Layer

Each of these network layers has a primary function that drives its most important characteristics. Similar to intersections in roadways; each network layer is interconnected through Points of Presence (POP) that allow communications traffic inside and outside of that layer. The POPs also serve as the main interconnection points between layers and end use devices. Just as arterial and secondary streets may be accessed directly by businesses or residences located on main streets, it is frequently appropriate to allow devices with high volume communications needs to reside directly on the analogous network layers such as the backhaul or distribution layers. A variety of both wired and wireless technologies may be integrated to provide communications in each of these layers. Wireless technologies, particularly those devices which are easily deployed and make use of unlicensed spectrum, have made network build out substantially easier and less expensive than was previously possible.

5.0Roadmap to ITSThe many structural similarities between communications networks and roadway networks can serve as a virtual roadmap to successful ITS networks. Because of these similarities, designers and operators are able to plan and manage their communications networks in ways that are similar to the planning and management of the roads themselves. Every jurisdiction should have a specific networking plan or roadmap, guiding its unique network deployment decisions.The communications needs and complexity of ITS networks will increase over time, as more locations are added and as more equipment is deployed at existing locations. Because of complex system interactions and unintended consequences, ITS communications planners must balance immediate needs and existing budgets with the long-term needs and future savings made possible by planning ahead. The process is analogous to that of planning the road system, and in both cases, high-speed wireless communications networks and equipment play a crucial supporting and enabling role.

The bottom line is, any ITS network is only as effective and as advantageous as its supporting communications network.

6.0Target system for ITS

The three basic concepts of the ITS are indicated as Smart Car, Smart Way and Smart Gateway. In the Smart Car concept, the ASV (Advanced Safety Vehicle) assures the high-grade safety for the driver with the development of more intelligent vehicle. The possibility of the ASV depends on the effective utilization of the technologies such as the sensor fusion as well as the car navigation. On the other hand, in the Smart Way concept, the driving conditions on the roads become more safety, comfortable and smooth utilizing the ITS traffic Control/Information Center. The Smart Gateway has been expected to transmit various information corresponding to the multiplicity of the ITS services between Smart Way and Smart Car.

Figure 3 : Vision of the ITS development.

Smart Gateway is a target of ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) developments. Smart Gateway is composed of the wireless communications systems, for example RVC (Road to-Vehicle Communication) system and IVC (Inter-Vehicle Communication) system. The multimedia information is mutually transmitted not only between road and vehicles but also between vehicles, corresponding to the various ITS applications. Especially in the case of the RVC, the DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) type RVC systems are required to develop for the purpose of high speed data transmission simultaneously, considering the radio propagation characteristics of the radio wave along the road.

In the mobile communication systems the mainstream of mobile service has been shifted from voice to data for the purpose of connecting the Internet. With the advent of 3G mobile services it is possible to transmit the various kind of the multimedia information such as data, voice, still image and moving picture at anywhere. It is provided that the maximum data transmission speed ensured in the IMT-2000 system is 384 kbps for a vehicular condition and 2 Mbps for a pedestrian condition.

Moreover, VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) and ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system operational in Japan are regarded as the ITS exclusive wireless link. Not only the public mobile communication systems such as the GSM/GPRS and the IMT-2000 but also the SBS (Satellite Broadcasting System) and the large-scale data bulk downloading system are also regarded as the ITS multipurpose wireless link.5.9 GHz DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) is a short to medium range communications service that supports both Public Safety and Private operations in roadside to vehicle and vehicle to vehicle communication environments. DSRC is meant to be a complement to cellular communications by providing very high data transfer rates in circumstances where minimizing latency in the communication link and isolating relatively small communication zones are important.

The DSRC-IVC system is a wireless communication system between the vehicles. The DSRC-IVC system makes-up an ad-hoc network in which the vehicle control data is transmitted between ones car and the other neighborhood car. Therefore, the vehicles can operate the group cooperative driving which are changing from moment to moment. Moreover, it is possible to do not only a line of sight (LOS) communication but also a detour communication among the vehicles. The service contents such as the platoon operation, the bumping avoidance, the control of merging/diverging vehicle are proposed in the DSRC-IVC system. On the other hand, the optical communications systems are suitable to transmit broadband signals because of both the wide-band and the low loss transmission characteristics of the optical fiber. In the DSRC-RVC system, the wireless communications are performed between the local BTS antenna allocated to road sites and the MS (mobile station) antenna mounted on the vehicle, reciprocally. The service area conditions are assumed to be on the road and its surround. Considering the inherent characteristics of the short range communication of the DSRC system, the service areas of the DSRC-RVC system and the DSRC-IVC system are regarded as not Micro-cell with several km radius but Pico-cell with radius of several ten meter up to one hundred meter.

The radio frequency bands of both the DSRC-IVC system and the DSRC-RVC system are recently considered to be 5.8 GHz microwave band and 60 GHz millimeter-wave band.

When the desired information has huge quantities of data, for example music and moving picture, the bulk download of the large-scale data will be effective to perform the data transmission, the ROF-RVC system, which is a kind of the DSRC-RVC system, is expected to be suitable. ROF (Radio on Fiber)-RVC system is newly proposed for the purpose of seamless communications between wired and wireless communication network systems. Multimedia signals are transmitted from a central BTS (Base Transceiver Station) to some local BTSs allocated along the road.

7.0Applications of Intelligent Transport Systems:

Across the world there are multiple different applications of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in action, which could be supported by CALM. These include:(i) eCall, an automatic in-vehicle emergency call service.(ii) Parking Guidance Systems, to guide motorists to the most appropriate parking space.

(iii) Octopus, a contactless ticketing system, parking meters etc

(iv) Adaptive Traffic Management, allowing for automatic changing of traffic signals, for instance to give priority to public buses.(v) Real-time bus information at the stop, allowing passengers to see the estimated arrival time of the next service, as implemented, for instance, in Paris.

(vi) Automatic Vehicle License Plate Recognition (AVLPR) System, used for instance to administer speeding fines.

(vii) A Telematics Pilot, applying new transport management techniques within a limited area.(viii) GPS Taxi Dispatching, raising efficiency in taxi use.

(ix) SOS provide location finding for distress calls.ECALL

AUTOMATIC SPEED ENFORCED GANTRY

PARKING GUIDANCE SYSTEMS

8.0Issues related to implementation of ITS in IndiaIn India ITS is a new concept and hence it needs huge capacity building program. The program would bring awareness about ITS, Standards and applications for transport infrastructural development. and how can they be utilized to deal with the current issues of transport system, among the decision makers, policy makers, planners and engineers. Also there are not much experts in the field of ITS. Hence, there is a urgent need of capacity building for ITS in India.

Establishment of National Framework, Architecture and standards is one of the early challenges and would guide ITS development in India and promote interoperability of ITS components i.e. ITS systems should be able to exchange and share information freely across jurisdictional boundaries. The architecture and standards would be provide guideline and functional framework that would support a common understanding among many developers and ITS users, about the parts of the systems and how those parts interact to provide useful services. Developing National Architecture and Standards would strengthen financial system by encouraging sound regulation and supervision, greater transparency and more efficient and robust institutions, markets and infrastructure of ITS technologies.

9.0Conclusion

The wireless technologies are essential to realize the Smart Gateway in the ITS. Communication technology widely available throughout India, like use of cell Phones should be used rather than dedicated OBU. The technology adoption should be such that it is not restricted to ETC but also electronic vehicle identification and registration, access control, parking management, vehicle spotting, security applications, etc. eg. RFID. 10.0References

1. ITU-T Technology Watch Report #1 October 2007 : Intelligent Transport Systems and CALM2. Kiyohito Tokuda- Applications of Wireless Communication Technologies for Intelligent Transport Systems.

3. The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (IITF) January 2010 : Intelligent Transportation Systems by Stephen Ezell4. www.tech-faq.com5. www.itsindia.orgPAGE 16