Research

DOT-Sponsored Research Activities

Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering is a structured process by which a system is logically, physically, and functionally defined. The outcome of implementing a systems engineering process is a set of documents that describe a system’s architecture, interfaces, and requirements.

The vision for the IntelliDriveSM Systems Engineering Research Program is to update the IntelliDriveSM Concept of Operations to accommodate the broader scope of the IntelliDriveSM program that has evolved from the VII Program; to update the System Architecture to accommodate the new definition of the system; and to provide recommendations for updates to standards that define system elements. Stakeholder requirements will be used to develop the new system definition. From this process will emerge the first set of security requirements for IntelliDriveSM.

Research Plan

The existing documents that describe the technology platform for IntelliDriveSM—the concept of operations, the architecture, the standards interfaces, and the system requirements—are based on the previous work that defined the VII system and the requirements of the DSRC technologies. In 2008, the VII architecture was expanded to include both DSRC and non-DSRC-based technologies, and the VII Program evolved into the IntelliDriveSM Program.

To complete the research needed to develop the IntelliDriveSM technology, a systems engineering process will be used to update the critical foundational documents. In using the systems engineering approach, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks to ensure that the final products are comprehensive and thorough.

A critical first task will be the solicitation of requirements from IntelliDriveSM stakeholders. Results of an initial stakeholder workshop will form the basis for the iterative development of updated and new documents that will include:

  • A revised Concept of Operations (ConOps) that is based on the needs of users.
  • Analysis and development of a set of revised, refined requirements for the core system of IntelliDriveSM. These requirements define the key interface requirements that govern how applications will gain access to IntelliDriveSM capabilities and services.
  • A set of alternative system architectures for IntelliDriveSM that will allow for further analysis and stakeholder review. The architecture documents will describe:
    • The physical architecture that identifies all system components.
    • The security architecture that describes how security and privacy will be handled, as well as the consideration of alternative implementations of the anonymity by design approach.
    • A functional architecture that identifies all major functions performed within IntelliDriveSM and allocates those functions to system components.
  • Development of Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (AMS) tools to assess the feasibility and trade-offs of the system architectures proposed for IntelliDriveSM and examine performance issues related to the different technical solutions.

The workshops will be the first attempt at defining security requirements for IntelliDrive.SM Security requirements occur at a number of levels:

  • Physical security associated with the IntelliDriveSM infrastructure, hardware, facilities, and staff. This type of security is typically governed by laws and procedures in place with public and private sector organizations responsible for existing infrastructure. Under the policy research plan, these laws and procedures will be reviewed to understand their relevance to IntelliDriveSM.
  • Data, software, and communications security that focuses on the credentials that determine who can communicate with and in the IntelliDriveSM environment. From a technical perspective, the ITS Program will develop processes that establish the trust relationship among communicating partners. For instance, this may be accomplished by adding a signature to each transmitted message or by establishing a certification process that determines what equipment is allowed to interact with the IntelliDriveSM system. From a policy perspective, this security is based on certifying who (travelers, drivers, system operators) can interact with the IntelliDriveSM system, and how credentials are managed; options for certification will be a part of the Policy and Institutional Issues research program.
Research Goal
  • To describe and define the elements of the IntelliDriveSM system.
  • To update the existing documentation to reflect changes that occurred as a result of program evolution from the VII Program to IntelliDrive,SM and to reflect input from key stakeholder groups.
Research Outcomes

This research will result in a set of critical products that define IntelliDriveSM as a comprehensive and interoperable system:

  • A revised ConOps for IntelliDriveSM.
  • An updated IntelliDriveSM System Architecture showing all components and interfaces, and identifying how security processes will ensure the integrity of the system and protect the privacy of its users.
  • A refined System Requirements Specification (SRS) that will result in inputs to standards updates.
  • Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (AMS) tools for use in evaluation.