Skip to main content

SwRI and USDOT operate connected vehicle affiliated test bed

In the US, the Texas-based Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is operating a connected vehicle affiliated test bed in cooperation with the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration. The DOT test bed project facilitates information exchange as well as access to tools and resources across other test bed facilities to support and encourage consistent future deployment of connected vehicle technologies. The project aims to advance the technology for full deplo
December 9, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
In the US, the Texas-based 5690 Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is operating a connected vehicle affiliated test bed in cooperation with the 324 US Department of Transportation (USDOT) 321 Research and Innovative Technology Administration.

The DOT test bed project facilitates information exchange as well as access to tools and resources across other test bed facilities to support and encourage consistent future deployment of connected vehicle technologies. The project aims to advance the technology for full deployment through information sharing and developing a common technical platform.

A connected vehicle network, where vehicles exchange information with the highway infrastructure and other vehicles using safe, interoperable wireless communications, could improve traffic safety, mobility and environmental impacts.

SwRI is one of multiple sites across the country that will support ongoing research, development, testing and demonstration of connected vehicle applications, standards and innovative products. SwRI has numerous facilities and capabilities to support this research, including a 5.9 GHz DSRC antenna test field, a test track and dedicated intelligent vehicle laboratories.

The DOT estimates that traffic congestion costs the US economy US$87.2 billion annually, with 4.2 billion hours and 2.8 billion gallons of fuel wasted sitting in traffic. Connected vehicle applications can potentially provide transportation agencies with dramatically improved real-time traffic, transit and parking data, making it easier to manage transportation systems for maximum efficiency and minimum congestion.

“Advanced traffic management systems have been shown to reduce secondary collisions, mitigate congestion and, most importantly, save lives,” said Michael Brown, a staff engineer in SwRI’s Intelligent Systems Department. “Integrating 5.9 GHz dedicated short range communications (DSRC) infrastructure will further enhance these systems. As an affiliated test bed, SwRI will continue to serve the intelligent transportation community by conducting advanced research and development in connectivity.”

“SwRI has been a pioneer in connected vehicle applications and technology,” said Brown. “Our experience and capabilities in intelligent systems research run the gamut from advanced traffic management and traveller information systems, to commercial vehicles, connected vehicles, vehicle automation and connected automation. These technologies collectively serve to realise the benefits of a fully cooperative transportation system.”

Related Content

  • Infrastructure funding and road user charging – debate continues
    February 1, 2012
    Jack Opiola provides an overview of the ongoing debate over US infrastructure funding and the progress – or lack of it – towards vehicles miles travelled road user charging. The future funding of transportation and mobility infrastructure is attracting increased attention. There has been sharp debate in the US, where landmark reports from the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission and the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission both stated that the cu
  • USDOT releases plans for the future of ITS
    December 16, 2014
    The USDOT has released a new plan for ITS research and priorities for the second half of the decade. The new ITS Strategic Plan 2015-2019 outlines the direction and goals of the Department’s ITS Program and provides a framework around which the ITS Joint Program Office and other Department agencies will conduct research, development, and adoption activities to achieve them. The ITS Strategic Plan’s framework is built around two key ITS Program priorities, realising connected vehicle implementation and a
  • Need for secure approach to connected vehicle technology
    January 7, 2013
    Accidental or malicious issue of false messages to connected vehicles could result in dire consequences, so secure systems of authentication and certification are likely to be necessary, write Paul Avery and Sandra Dykes. Connectivity among vehicles in urban traffic systems will provide opportunity for beneficial impacts such as congestion reduction and greater safety. However, it also creates security risks with the potential for targeted disruption. Security algorithms, protocols and procedures must take
  • Towards advanced automated vehicles - AutoNet2030 research project launched
    October 28, 2013
    The EU co-funded AutoNet2030 research project begins in November 2013, and will run through to October 2016. The aim of the project is to enable the introduction of more fail-safe, cost effective automated driving technologies to make road traffic safer and more convenient. Deployment is expected to be in 2020-2030, when cooperative wireless communications will already have been available in the majority of vehicles.