Skip to main content

US Department of Transportation updates the ITS Strategic Research Plan, 2010–2014

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has released Transforming Transportation through Connectivity: ITS Strategic Research Plan, 2010–2014 (Progress Update, 2012). This report is an update to the 2010 ITS Strategic Research Plan, which established a research agenda to prepare the next generation of intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies for widespread deployment throughout the nation. Research and development efforts have advanced notably over the last two and a half years in areas s
October 17, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has released Transforming Transportation through Connectivity: ITS Strategic Research Plan, 2010–2014 (Progress Update, 2012).

This report is an update to the 2010 ITS Strategic Research Plan, which established a research agenda to prepare the next generation of intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies for widespread deployment throughout the nation. Research and development efforts have advanced notably over the last two and a half years in areas such as connected vehicle research; short-term intermodal research; ITS exploratory research; and ITS cross-cutting support. Documenting this halfway point offers an important resource for broad stakeholder review of program results and research progress.

This report describes the status of the research for achieving a connected vehicle environment; delivering the next generation of ITS technologies to the marketplace; and advancing transportation safety, mobility, and environmental performance. The report covers each research program funded by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (781 ITS JPO). For each program, the report includes an updated research plan in addition to Snapshots of Progress—descriptions of the research results, critical research insights and lessons learned, and next steps.

An important change to the original report is the inclusion of the Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot Program, a new initiative focused on demonstrating the safety benefits of prototype vehicle-to-vehicle applications and technologies. Other highlights include: a more detailed Policy research section; the introduction of dynamic mobility applications, connected vehicle road weather applications, and transformative environment concepts; a revision to the systems engineering section to introduce the concept of a core system; details on research for producing human factors guidelines; new efforts for international harmonisation; and a comprehensive outreach to media that has produced a list of prominent news stories to create public awareness about connected vehicle research.

Related Content

  • January 30, 2012
    IntelliDrive, connectivity, safety, mobility and the environment?
    Shelley Row, Director of the ITS Joint Program Office, US Department of Transportation, details the new five-year ITS Strategic Research Plan. Imagine a world where vehicles of all types can talk to each other in order to reduce or eliminate crashes, where vehicles can talk to traffic signals to eliminate unnecessary stops, where travellers can get accurate travel time information about all modes and route options, and where transportation managers have data which allows them to accurately assess multimodal
  • January 18, 2013
    USDOT seeks input on next ITS research plan
    The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is seeking public input as it develops the next version of the ITS Strategic Plan. A new document called An Open Dialogue on the Draft Focus and Themes for the Next ITS Strategic Research Plan: Engaging Stakeholders in Their Discussion and Development was released today and it identifies the ITS-related issues that USDOT will focus on for the rest of the decade. The current ITS Strategic Research Plan - 2010-2014 established a focused research agenda to prepare th
  • April 12, 2013
    Connected vehicles - potential to transform US transportation
    There’s a new face in the driving seat at the US Department of Transport’s ITS Joint Program Office. Fortunately, as Robin Meczes finds out, he’s no learner driver… Ask Kenneth Leonard why he wanted his new job as director of the ITS Joint Program Office, and his answer comes back without a second’s delay. “The potential to save lives, reduce injuries and help people enjoy a more efficient transportation system is the kind of challenge that makes me want to come to work each morning,” he says. “In my opinio
  • October 24, 2012
    New joint report outlines EU and US cooperation on connected vehicle standards
    The United States and the European Union (EU) are working together to foster international connected vehicle research and international harmonisation of the technology and standards necessary for broad deployment of connected vehicle systems.