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

  • USDoT looks at the costs and potential benefits of connected vehicles
    October 26, 2017
    David Crawford looks at latest lessons learned from the trials of connected vehicles in the US. The progress of connected vehicle (CV) technologies takes centre stage among the hot topics highlighted in the September 2017 edition – the first since 2014 – of the ‘ITS Benefits, Costs and Lessons Learned’ survey from the US ITS Joint Program Office (JPO). The organisation is an arm of the US Department of Transportation (USDoT).
  • ITS America supports moves for safe sharing of 5.9 GHz spectrum
    July 18, 2014
    Scott F. Belcher, president and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), has responded to the Wi-Fi Innovation Act introduced by US Representatives Bob Latta, Darrell Issa, Anna Eshoo and Doris Matsui. The Act would put pressure on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow unlicensed devices to operate in the 5.9 GHz band of spectrum set aside by the FCC for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication technology showcased by Preside
  • Pioneering IntelliDrive technologies in Michigan
    February 2, 2012
    Pete Goldin reports on upgrades to the USDOT's Michigan Test Bed, where IntelliDrive technologies are being pioneered
  • Connecting people and mobility
    February 3, 2012
    Stéphane Petti, Business Development Manager - Automotive, at Orange Business Services' International M2M Center, says that the ITS industry can no longer afford to ignore the telecommunications industry's role in connecting people and mobility services. To telephone companies (telcos), the Machine-to-Machine (M2M) sector is nothing new. Worldwide, they have been focusing considerable attention on M2M in all its sub-segments for several years now. It is the migration of M2M from fixed to wireless connectivi