Connected Vehicles Programme

Learning Objectives

1. Provide an overview of the connected vehicle program

2. Understand history, evolution, and future direction of
connected vehicle program
3. Understand partnership and roles of government and
industry
4. Understand basic technologies and core systems
5. Understand key policy, legal, and funding issues
 Definition of a Connected Vehicle Environment
• The Connected Vehicle program is a large set of research activities centered around a
vehicle or a mobile device that is equipped with communications and processing
allowing those equipped platforms to be aware of their location and their status and to
communicate with each other and with the surrounding infrastructure.

• This enables Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems (C-ITS).A co-operative ITS is

a subset of the overall ITS that – Communicates and – Shares information Between
independently operated and independently authenticated devices to – Give advice or
– Facilitate actions. With the objective of improving – Safety, sustainability, efficiency
and comfort.
• More specifically, connected vehicle applications provide connectivity:
• Among vehicles to enable crash prevention
• Between vehicles and the infrastructure to enable safety, mobility, and environmental
benefits
• Among vehicles, infrastructure, and wireless devices to provide continuous real-time
connectivity to all system users.
Definition of a Connected Vehicle Environment
• Connected vehicle safety applications are designed to increase situational
awareness and reduce or eliminate crashes through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)
and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) data communications. Connected vehicle
mobility applications provide a connected, data-rich travel environment.
• These communications should support driver advisories, driver warnings, and
vehicle and/or infrastructure controls, by capturing real-time data from
equipment located on-board vehicles (automobiles, trucks, and buses) and
within the transportation infrastructure.
• The data are transmitted wirelessly and are used by transportation managers
in a wide range of dynamic, multi-modal applications to manage the
transportation system for optimum performance.
• As part of this, C-ITS both generate and capture environmentally relevant real-
time transportation data and use this data to support and facilitate green
transportation choices, thus reducing the environmental impacts of each trip.
Definition of a Connected Vehicle Environment

Wireless connectivity among vehicles, the infrastructure, and

mobile devices, resulting in transformative change to:

• Highway safety
• Mobility
• Environmental impacts

Source: USDOT
Wireless Communications for Connected Vehicles

Core technology for Connected Vehicle applications

• Safety-related systems to be based on Dedicated Short Range
Communications
• Non-safety applications may be based on other technologies

 DSRC characteristics:
 75 MHz of bandwidth at 5.9 GHz

 Low latency

 Limited interference

 Performance under adverse

conditions
Source: USDOT
Connected Vehicle Benefits

Connected Vehicles will benefit the public good by:

• Reducing highway crashes

– Potential to address up to 81% of unimpaired crashes
• Improving mobility
• Reducing environmental impact

Additional benefits to public agency transportation system

management and operations
 Historical Context
Current program results from more than a decade of research:

• 2003 – Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) program formed

by USDOT, AASHTO, and carmakers
• 2006 – VII Concept of Operations published by USDOT
• 2008-2009 – VII Proof-of-Concept in Michigan and California
• 2010-2011 – VII renamed to Connected Vehicle program
 Connected Vehicle Program Today
Current research addresses key strategic challenges:

• Remaining technical challenges

• Testing to determine actual benefits
• Determining if benefits are sufficient to warrant
implementation
• Issues of public acceptance
 Key Decision Points
• Decisions to be made on core
technologies:
– 2013 NHTSA agency decision on
implementation of DSRC in light
vehicles
– 2014 decision regarding DSRC in
heavy vehicles
– Information to support the decision
will come from multiple sources,
including the Safety Pilot Model
Deployment
 Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot
• 2,800 vehicles (cars, buses, and
trucks) equipped with V2V
devices
• Provide data for determining the
technologies’ effectiveness at
reducing crashes
• Includes vehicles with
embedded equipment and
others that use aftermarket
devices or a simple
Image source: USDOT
communications beacon
 Safety Pilot V2V Applications
• Applications to be tested include:
– Forward Collision Warning
– Electronic Emergency
Brake Lights
– Blind Spot Warning/Lane
Change Warning
– Intersection Movement Assist
– Do Not Pass Warning
– Left Turn Assist Source: USDOT
 V2I Safety Applications
• Use data exchanged between
vehicles and roadway infrastructure
to identify high-risk situations and
issue driver alerts and warnings
– Traffic signals will communicate
signal phase and timing (SPaT)
data to vehicles to deliver active
safety messages to drivers

Source: USDOT
 Typical V2I Safety Applications
• Candidate applications under development include:
– Red Light Warning
– Curve Speed Warning
– Stop Sign Gap Assist
– Railroad Crossing Violation Warning
– Spot Weather Impact Warning
– Oversize Vehicle Warning
– Reduced Speed/Work Zone Warning

Source: USDOT
 Connected Vehicle Mobility
Applications
• Provide an interconnected, data-rich travel environment
• Used by transportation managers to optimize operations,
focusing on reduced delays and congestion
 Connected Vehicle Mobility
Applications
Enable Advanced Traveler Information Systems (EnableATIS) provide an
end-state traveler information network focused on multimodal integration, data
sharing, end-to-end trip perspectives, and use of analytics and logic to generate
predictive information specific to users.

Integrated Dynamic Transit Operations (IDTO) includes protecting transfers

between transit and nontransit modes; requesting a trip and generating
itineraries containing multiple transportation services; or carpooling where
drivers and riders arrange trips within a relatively short time of departure.

Multi-Modal Intelligent Traffic Signal Systems (MMITSS) will provide

overarching system optimization that accommodates transit and freight signal
priority, preemption for emergency vehicles, and pedestrian movements while
maximizing overall arterial network performance.
 Connected Vehicle Mobility
Applications
Intelligent Network Flow Optimization (INFLO) consists of applications
related to queue warning, speed harmonization, and cooperative adaptive cruise
control.

Response, Emergency Staging and Communications, Uniform

Management, and Evacuation (R.E.S.C.U.M.E.) will solve problems faced by
emergency management agencies, emergency medical services (EMS), and
persons requiring assistance during traffic incidents and mass evacuations.

Freight Advanced Traveler Information Systems (FRATIS) provide freight-

specific dynamic travel planning and performance information, or optimize
drayage operations so that load movements are coordinated between freight
facilities to reduce empty-load trips.
 Potential Dynamic Mobility
Applications
• EnableATIS – support • INFLO – optimize flow with
sharing of travel queue warning and speed
information harmonization
• IDTO – support transit • R.E.S.C.U.M.E. – support
mobility, operations, and incident management and
services mass evacuations
• MMITSS – maximize arterial • FRATIS – freight-specific
flows for transit, freight, information systems or
emergency vehicle, and drayage optimization
pedestrians
Connected Vehicle Transit Applications
• Three Integrated Dynamic Transit Operations (IDTO)
applications developed:
– Dynamic Transit Operations (T-DISP)
– Connect Protection (T-CONNECT)
– Dynamic Ridesharing (D-RIDE)
• Additional transit safety applications in the Safety Pilot:
– Emergency Electronic Brake Lights (EEBL)
– Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
– Vehicle Turning Right in Front of Bus Warning (VTRW)
– Curve Speed Warning (CSW)
– Pedestrian in Crosswalk Warning (PCW)
 Connected Vehicle Environmental Applications
• Generate and capture relevant, real-time transportation data
to support environmentally friendly travel choices for:
– Travelers
– Road operating agencies
– Car, truck, and transit drivers
 USDOT AERIS Program
• Research on connected vehicle environmental applications
conducted within the AERIS program
 Connected Vehicle Environmental Applications
• Generate and capture relevant, real-time transportation data
to support environmentally friendly travel choices
– Travelers avoid congestion, take alternate routes or
transit, or reschedule their trip to be more fuel-efficient
– Operators receive real-time information on vehicle
location, speed, and other operating conditions to
improve system operation
– Drivers optimize the vehicle's operation and maintenance
for maximum fuel efficiency
 Potential AERIS Concepts
• Eco-Signal Operations – Optimize roadside and traffic signal
equipment to collect and share relevant positional and emissions
data to lessen transportation environmental impact.
• Dynamic Eco-Lanes – Like HOT and HOV lanes but optimized to
support freight, transit, alternative fuel, or regular vehicles
operating in eco-friendly ways
• Dynamic Low Emissions Zones – Similar to cordon areas
with fixed infrastructure but designed to provide incentives
for eco-friendly driving
 Connected Vehicle Technology:
Enabling Technologies
• Communications systems
• Onboard or mobile • Core systems
equipment
• Support systems
• Roadside equipment

Source: USDOT
 Connected Vehicle Technology:
Enabling Technologies…
• Onboard equipment (OBE) or mobile equipment is the systems or
devices through which most end users will interact with the Connected
Vehicle Environment. Other technologies are necessary to provide
basic information used in Connected Vehicle applications including
location, speed, and heading from GPS or other sensors. Additional
sensor data, such as windshield wiper status or anti-lock braking or
traction control activation, may be beneficial in certain applications

• Roadside equipment (RSE) provides connectivity between vehicles

and roadside systems, such as systems integrated with traffic signal
controllers
 Connected Vehicle Technology:
Enabling Technologies…
• Communications systems is the infrastructure needed to provide
network connectivity from RSEs to other system components.

• Core systems facilitate interactions among vehicles, field

infrastructure, and back office users.

• Support systems include the security credentials management

systems that allow devices and systems in the Connected Vehicle
Environment to establish trust relationships.
 Dedicated Short-Range
Communications
• DSRC technologies were developed specifically for vehicular
communications. In 2004, the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) published a Report and Order that established standard
licensing and service rules for DSRC and allocated 75 MHz of
spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band. DSRC is to be used for the purpose of
protecting the safety of the traveling public.

• DSRC is a communications protocol developed to address the

technical issues associated with sending and receiving data among
vehicles, and between moving vehicles and fixed roadside access
points.

• DSRC is a specialized form of WiFi and is a derivative of the basic

IEEE 802.11 standard (a set of standards developed by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for implementing wireless
local area network computer communications.
 Dedicated Short-Range
Communications…
• DSRC also includes the Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments
(WAVE) Short Message protocol defined in the IEEE 1609 standard
that allows terminals to broadcast messages to all other devices in
radio range.

• The typical range of a DSRC access point is about 300 meters,

although ranges up to about 1 kilometer have been observed. Typical
installations are expected to be at intersections and other roadside
locations.
 Key DSRC Functional Capabilities
• DSRC is the only short-range wireless technology that
provides:
– Fast network acquisition, low-latency, high-reliability
communications link
– An ability to work with vehicles operating at high speeds
– An ability to prioritize safety messages
– Tolerance to multipath transmissions typical of roadway
environments
– Performance that is immune to extreme weather
conditions (e.g., rain, fog, snow)
– Protection of security and privacy of messages
DSRC for Active Safety Applications

Source: USDOT
 Cellular Communications
• Transportation Agencies are committed to DSRC for active
safety, but are exploring other wireless technologies as well.
• Cellular communications is a candidate for some safety,
mobility, and environmental applications
– LTE technologies can provide high-speed data rates to a
large number of users simultaneously
– Technologies are intended to serve mobile users
– Good coverage – all urban areas and most major highways
 Cellular Communications
Other Wireless Technologies
 Cellular Communications
Cellular Wireless Technology

• It has evolved over time to increase speed and bandwidth, current

versions (4G) is not sufficient to support the connected vehicle
potential.

• 5G, will have the speed and capacity to support connected vehicles
(V2V & V2G) (Up to 100 gigabits per second) with is as much as 100x
faster than 4G

• Low latency (delay) and large capacity are necessary to support

connected vehicles going forward due to the volume of data to move

• Infrastructure improvements are necessary and there is some concern

regarding health and safety with 5G, but not medically proven.
 Cellular Communications
Cellular Wireless Technology
 Information / Apps
• Internet Access
• “Office” like features
• Text Messaging
• Contacts
• Calendars
• PC to vehicle
– Trip planning to navigation
 WiFi
• Passenger connectivity
– WiFi
– Bluetooth *Device to vehicle
– NFC *Device to vehicle
• Requires cellular contract or OnStar like
services (Data Plan)
• Connectivity to public infrastructure (vehicle)
– Road conditions
– Traffic flow
 Information / Apps
• Internet Access
• “Office” like features
• Text Messaging
• Contacts
• Calendars
• PC to vehicle
– Trip planning to navigation
 Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V)
• Vehicles communicate with each other sharing
information like road conditions ahead,
acceleration, braking, obstructions
 Diagnostics
• Vehicle reports service / fault status to manufacture,
local dealership contacts customer to schedule service
visit
• Remote updates
– Over the air software updates to vehicle systems
• Vehicle “Health” to drivers phone application
 Navigation
• Improved GPS
• Satellite
– Non-GPS
network
location
determination
• Precision
Mapping for
Autonomous
Vehicles
 Home Integration
• Control home functions from vehicle,
beyond garage door remote
• Home / Away automated functions for
lights, etc.
• Internet of Things (IOT)
 Gesture Control

• Control functions with hand movements,

vs. turn knob or push button
• Entertainment
• Accept / decline phone calls
 Voice Commands

• Control functions with voice commands

– Entertainment
– Phone
– Navigation
 On Board Assistants
• Utilizes Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)
• Alexa / Suri / Google Assistant type of
interaction
• Voice activated
• Entertainment
• Navigation
• Home Connectivity
 Vehicle Services
• OnStar types of systems
– Subscription required
– Various levels
– Navigation
– Emergency response
– Remote Services
» Vehicle unlock
» Vehicle Health
» Location
– Concierge
» Reservations
 Security Credential Management
• For the Connected Vehicle system to work effectively, users of the network must be
able to trust the validity of messages received from other system users. Establishing
the basis of this trust network is a key element of a security design for the Connected
Vehicle program. Accidental or malicious issue of false messages among vehicles or
between vehicles and the infrastructure could have severe consequences, especially
in safety-critical applications.

• At the same time, users want to have a reasonable assurance of appropriate privacy
in the system.

• Research to date has indicated that use of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) security
system, involving the exchange of digital certificates among trusted users, can
support both the need for message security and for providing appropriate anonymity
to users. Digital certificates are used to sign the messages that pass between
vehicles in the Connected Vehicle Environment, and therefore allow the receiver of a
message to verify that the message came from a legitimate source.
 Policy and Institutional Issues
• May limit successful deployment
• Collaborative effort among USDOT, industry stakeholders,
vehicle manufacturers, state and local governments,
associations, and citizens
• Policy issues and associated research fall into four categories:
– Implementation Policy Options
– Technical Policy Options
– Legal Policy Options
– Implementation Strategies
 Implementation Policy Options
• Topics to be addressed:
– Analysis and development of a range of viable options for
financial and investment strategies,
– Analysis and comparisons of communications systems for data
delivery
– Development of model structures for governance with
identified roles and responsibilities of the various participants
– Analyses that are required to support decisions of specific
agency(ies)/organization(s) that are (is) associate with
development of road safety regulations, including (i) cost-
benefit analysis, (ii) value proposition* analysis, and (iii) market
penetration analysis
* a clear, simple statement of the benefits, both tangible and intangible, that the company will provide,
along with the approximate price it will charge each customer segment for those benefits
 Technical Policy Options
• Analysis of technical choices for V2V and V2I technologies and
applications
– Identify if options require new institutional models or can
leverage existing assets and personnel
• Technical analyses related to Core System, system interfaces,
and device certification and standards
 Legal Policy Options
• Analysis on the federal role and authority in system
development and deployment
• Analysis of liability and limitations to risk
• Policy and practices regarding privacy
• Policies on intellectual property and data ownership
 Implementation Strategies
• AASHTO conducted a Connected Vehicle Field Infrastructure
Deployment Analysis
– Infrastructure deployment decisions by state and local
transportation agencies depend on nature and timing of
benefits
– Benefits depend on availability of Connected Vehicle
equipment installed in vehicles
• Original equipment
• After-market devices
Connected Vehicle Market Growth

Source: USDOT
 Funding for Infrastructure
Deployment
• Key task facing state and local DOTs is the need to identify a
funding mechanism.
– Capital and ongoing operations and maintenance costs
• Agencies can consider various funding categories to support
deployment.
– ITS budget or federal/state funds with ITS eligibility
– Safety improvement program
– Funds set aside for congestion mitigation or air quality
improvement projects
– Public–private partnerships
 Summary
• The Connected Vehicle Environment:
– Wireless connectivity among vehicles, infrastructure, and
mobile devices
– Transformative changes in highway safety, mobility, and
environmental impact
– Broad stakeholder base – government, industry,
researchers
• Potential benefits
– Use of V2V and V2I may address 81% of unimpaired
crashes in all vehicle types
– Reduce congestion and vehicle emissions
 Summary (cont’d)
• Current strategic challenges – technical, benefits, deployment,
public acceptance
• Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot to support NHTSA agency
decisions in 2013 and 2014
• Applications allow systems and technologies to deliver
services and benefits to users in three broad categories
– Safety applications (including those based on V2V or V2I
communications)
– Dynamic mobility applications
– Environmental applications
 Summary (cont’d)
• DSRC technologies developed specifically for vehicular
communications
– Reserved for transportation safety by the FCC
• DSRC will be used for V2V and V2I active safety
– Cellular communications can be explored for other safety,
mobility, and environmental applications
• A Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) security system, involving the
exchange of digital certificates among trusted users, can
support both the need for message security and provide
appropriate anonymity to users.
 Summary (cont’d)
• Policy and institutional issues are topics that may limit or
challenge successful deployment.
• An AASHTO Connected Vehicle field infrastructure
deployment analysis indicates:
– Infrastructure deployment decisions of state and local
transportation agencies will be based on the nature and
timing of benefits
– Benefits will depend on the availability of Connected
Vehicle equipment installed in vehicles, either as original
equipment or as after-market devices.
 References
• AASHTO Subcommittee on Systems Operations and
Management Web site:
[Link]
• ITS America Web site: The Connected Vehicle - Next
Generation ITS,
[Link]
• U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative
Technologies Administration, Web site: Connected Vehicle
Research,
[Link]
[Link]
 Questions?
1. What types of benefits may accrue from the
implementation of the Connected Vehicle Environment?
2. What are the key inputs to the NHTSA agency decision to
pursue a potential rulemaking?
3. Why is DSRC suitable for Connected Vehicle applications,
especially active safety applications?
4. How will the Connected Vehicle Environment be protected
against accidental or malicious attacks?
5. What factors will influence the decisions by state and local
agencies to deploy Connected Vehicle field infrastructure?
 Questions?
1. What types of benefits may accrue from the implementation
of the Connected Vehicle Environment?

Connected Vehicles are anticipated to bring about transformative

changes in highway safety, mobility, and the environmental
impacts of the transportation system. In particular, combined use
of V2V and V2I communications has the potential to address 81
percent of unimpaired driver crashes in all vehicle types.
Connected Vehicle systems also have the potential to reduce
urban traffic congestion and travel delays, and to reduce vehicle
emissions and improve vehicle fuel efficiency.
 Answers
• 2. What are the key inputs to the NHTSA agency decision to
pursue a potential rulemaking?

• Central to the research that is currently being undertaken is a

determination of the potential benefits of the Connected Vehicle system
and the evaluation of driver acceptance of vehicle-based safety systems.
This component of the research program will provide factual evidence
needed to support a 2013 NHTSA agency decision on the deployment of
core Connected Vehicle technologies for light vehicles and a similar 2014
decision for heavy vehicles. The Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot is a
scientific research initiative to collect the data needed to understand the
safety benefits of these technologies. These data will be critical to
supporting the 2013 NHTSA agency decision.
 Answers
• 3. Why is DSRC suitable for Connected Vehicle applications,
especially active safety applications?
• DSRC technologies were developed specifically for vehicular
communications and are reserved for transportation safety
applications by the FCC. DSRC is the communications medium of
choice for active safety systems because of its designated
licensed bandwidth. DSRC is also the only short-range wireless
technology that provides a fast network acquisition, low-latency,
high-reliability communications link; the ability to work with vehicles
operating at high speeds; the ability to prioritize safety messages;
tolerance to multipath transmissions typical of roadway
environments; performance that is immune to extreme weather
conditions (e.g., rain, fog, snow); and the protection of security and
privacy of messages.
 Answers
• How will the Connected Vehicle Environment be
protected against accidental or malicious attacks?
• The Connected Vehicle program will rely on secure
communications—users of the system must be able to
trust the validity of messages from other system users.
Current research indicates that the use of a Public Key
Infrastructure (PKI) security system, involving the
exchange of digital certificates among trusted users,
can support the need for message security and provide
appropriate anonymity to users.
Answers
 Answers
• What factors will influence the decisions by state
and local agencies to deploy Connected Vehicle
field infrastructure?

• Work conducted by different agencies indicates that the

infrastructure deployment decisions of state and local
transportation agencies will be based on the nature and
timing of benefits that will accrue to the agencies. In
turn, these benefits will depend on the availability of
Connected Vehicle equipment installed in vehicles,
either as original equipment or as after-market devices.