Research

DOT-Sponsored Research Activities

IntelliDriveSM Test Environment

IntelliDriveSM Test Environments are real-world, operational test beds that offer the supporting vehicles, infrastructure, and equipment to serve the needs of public and private sector IntelliDriveSM testing and certification activities.

The vision for the Test Environment research is to establish a minimum of one test bed that can support continued research, testing, and demonstration of IntelliDriveSM concepts, standards, applications, and innovative products. Test environments will also serve as a precursor or foundation for State and local IntelliDriveSM deployments.

Research Plan

A key element in the culmination of the VII research was a set of proof-of-concept tests that were conducted in 2008 using field (roadside) installations in Michigan and California, with a network control center located in a Herndon, Virginia facility.

In early 2009, with the re-branding of the VII initiative as “IntelliDrive,SM the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has been assessing its options with regard to the test bed in Michigan. Although there are known limitations with the current facility, it represents a major DOT investment and has great potential value in carrying out the anticipated tests and demonstrations that will be required in the 2010 – 2014 time frame.

To realize and maximize that value, the DOT is conducting two concurrent activities pertaining to the Michigan test bed:

  • One activity is to stabilize the test bed operating environment and open it up to industry for supporting continued research and demonstration.
  • Another activity is to procure a Systems Engineering Contractor that will review, revise, and upgrade the existing VII documentation to make it consistent with the new vision of IntelliDriveSM systems engineering.

An additional focus of this effort is to develop and prototype a set of generic management processes, equipment, and back-end services that are needed in support of test bed operations and, eventually, IntelliDriveSM deployment. These processes, equipment, and services will be the mechanism that enables the management, oversight, and general operations of the IntelliDriveSMsystem at all levels (State, local, regional, national, as appropriate). They will be developed and prototyped at the Michigan test bed but will be extensible to all early test beds and early deployments.

Research Goals

  • To operate, manage, and maintain the existing Michigan test bed for use by organizations and researchers in both the public and the private sectors, inclusive of the DOT ITS Program’s testing of IntelliDrive M standards and safety-, mobility-, and environment-related IntelliDriveSM applications.

  • To enhance and/or modify the existing test bed and establish it as a model for other test beds.

  • To research, develop, and prototype a set of generic management processes, equipment, and back-end services.

Research Outcomes

The research will result in the establishment of an accessible IntelliDriveSM test bed in Michigan for the public and private sectors to pursue research, testing, and demonstrations of innovative, next-generation ITS technologies. The test bed will help establish requirements for future test beds that will provide the State and local foundation for IntelliDriveSM deployment.