1. Connected Vehicle/Infrastructure UTC Tier 1 Center
April 2012
Cathy McGhee
(for Tom Dingus)

2. University Transportation Centers Program
Program initiated in 1987 and expanded in subsequent transportation bills
Latest competition resulted in 10 Tier 1 UTCs, 2 Transit-centered Tier 1 UTCs, and 10 Regional UTCs
The program is managed by RITA – Research and Innovative Technology Administration
Mission
To advance U.S. technology and expertise in the many disciplines comprising transportation through the mechanisms of education, research and technology transfer at university-based centers of excellence.
Goals of the program include education of future professionals, conduct of research to advance the body of knowledge in transportation, and technology transfer that aids in implementation of research results
VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology
12/9/2019

3. VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology
5 Goals Interaction:
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4. VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology
UTC Theme
Connected Vehicle/Infrastructure:
Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) Connectivity: A bi-directional ability to share information between a vehicle and the roadway in real time with situation-relevant data to improve driver’s overall safety, driving performance, and commute.
For this project; estimated 60% V2I (and 40% V2V connectivity.)
Wireless communication channels are used
Cellular for most information that is not time critical in the 1 second range
Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) for low-latency, robust, secure information
Various in-vehicle and roadside applications are enabled with the communicated information
VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology
12/9/2019

5. UTC Membership Composition:
Consortium Members*:
Stakeholders:
Potential Advisory Board Members:
Virginia Tech (VTTI)
US DOT
VDOT
University of Virginia
Automotive Industry
Morgan State University
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
AASHTO
Nissan
Electronics/Communications Industry
Volvo
Broad Surface Transportation Community
Fairfax County Department of Transportation
Federal Agencies (USDOT/FHWA)
*Membership within the Consortium include: Stakeholders (see above), Subject Matter Experts (the “Expert Researchers”), and Researchers (University Faculty/Students).
Mission Statement:
The CVI-UTC conducts research to advance surface transportation through the application of innovative research using connected-vehicle and infrastructure technologies to improve:
Safety
State of good repair
Economic competitiveness
Livable communities
And environmental sustainability.
VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology
12/9/2019

6. From the Grant Proposal:
The CVI-UTC will focus on the development, assessment, and improvement of connected-vehicle systems and applications.
Such research will employ a variety of unique tools and test beds developed or enhanced as part of this grant.
VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology
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7. Collecting Data: Test Bed Development
New River Valley:
Smart Road/Route 460
Northern Virginia
I-66 and parallel routes 29/50
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8. New River Valley Test Bed:
VTTI’s facilities include the Smart Road where a number of transportation-based wireless infrastructures have been deployed. The infrastructure has enabled VTTI to research a range of wireless communications applications in transportation.   
The RSE broadcasts SPaT messages across the DSRC channel to be received by equipped vehicles and broadcasts differential GPS corrections and high accuracy mapping data to enable precise vehicle positioning, which facilitates a variety of V2I applications that require accurate map-matching.
In addition to the closed Smart Road test track, three additional RSEs with the same functionality are installed along the US 460 corridor.
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12/9/2019

9. Northern Virginia Test Bed:
The extensive highway network operated and maintained by VDOT is a tremendous asset with respect to testing and deployment of research findings.
Concentrating on the Interstate 66 (I-66) corridor/Route 29/Route 50.
Key elements of the test bed will be strong partnerships with local agencies, including law enforcement and transit providers.
The selected site has transportation system deficiencies (congestion, high crash rates, air quality non-attainment) that can be effectively addressed by connected-vehicle technologies and includes a high level of multimodal interactions.
UVA/VCTIR: Test-bed Tours/Demonstrations; regular tours of the Northern Virginia test bed will be provided to help transportation professionals experience CVI technology and applications.
VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology
12/9/2019

10. Equipment and Hardware for Test Bed
What equipment/hardware will we use to study our location?
What will we be measuring?
50 Dedicated Short Range Communication Transmitters
200 Portable Aftermarket Safety Devices (Android-type)
10 instrumented cars (light vehicles)
2 instrumented heavy vehicles, Semi; Motorcoach
50 Roadside Equipment Unit [VDOT]
Driver Behavior as indicated by Vehicle Behavior
Changes in driving conditions through connectivity
Examples:
Wheel Slip
Acceleration/Speed
Curve Speed
Determining Alternate Routes
12/9/2019
VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology

11. Initial Candidate Research Projects:
Optimized Routing of Transit Vehicles Using Real-Time Demand and Utilization Data
Road Hazard Reporting and Warning System
Adaptive Stop/Yield Sign
System for Optimizing Application of Roadway De-icing Agents
Connected-Vehicle Beacon for At-Risk Pedestrians
Transit Signal Priority
Emergency Vehicle Preemption
Queue Warning
Pavement Monitoring Field Test
Developing Safe and Green Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control Systems
Enhanced Rear Signaling – A Connected-Vehicle Application
V2I Technology for Infrastructure Performance Measurement and Health Monitoring
VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology
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12. Proposed Research Projects Relating to Mission Statement Goals
Project Title
Safety
State of Good Repair
Economic Competitiveness
Livable Communities
Environmental Sustainability
Optimized Routing of Transit Vehicles Using Real-Time Demand and Utilization Data X
Road Hazard Reporting and Warning System
Adaptive Stop/Yield Sign
System for Optimizing Application of Roadway De-icing Agents
Connected-Vehicle Beacon for At-Risk Pedestrians
Transit Signal Priority
Emergency Vehicle Preemption
Queue Warning
Pavement Monitoring Field Test
Developing Safe and Green Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control Systems
Enhanced Rear Signaling – A Connected Vehicle Application
V2I Technology for Infrastructure Performance Measurement and Health Monitoring
VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology
12/9/2019

13. Construct/Implement Hardware Research, Data Collection/Analysis
Initial Schedule
Buy Hardware
Construct/Implement Hardware
Research, Data Collection/Analysis
4 months
6 months
18 months
April 2012-July 2012: Acquire hardware / technology for construction /creation and installation.
July 2012-December 2012: Test bed development and vehicle instrumentation.
January 2013: Begin implementation of planned research projects on test beds.
July 2012-January 2014: Design and select studies / Collect and analyze data / produce research reports/education and outreach / adjust plans for effective use of resources.
VTTI | Driving Transportation with Technology
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14. Any Questions?
THANK YOU!