Transportation Technologies &Future Applications

September 2004

Outline

• Common Themes in Science & Technology

• Examples of Transportation Science & Technology

• Summary

Common Themes in Science & Technology

• Automation

• Clean (Pollution Free)

• Intelligent Technologies

• High Speed

• Integration of Hardware & Services

Themes & The Overarching Goal Themes & The Overarching Goal

behavior

infotechdesign

performance

chance

Need for safe, reliable, and efficient movement

Need for safe, reliable, and efficient movement

Transport Systems & Services

Examples of Transportation Science & Technology (themes)

• Intelligent & Powerful Simulation Software & Hardware

• Clean Fuels & Efficient Engines

• Intelligent & (Semi)Automated Vehicles

• Intelligent Material & Automated Processes

• Human Centered Design of Systems

• Integrated Systems of Information, Telecommunications, and Infrastructure

Intelligent & Powerful Simulation Software & Hardware

• Silicon Virtual Worlds

• Human Behavior Through Models

• Simulated Environments

• Explicitly Modeled and Emergent Interactions

TrafficopterIntelligent Software Agent on Top of Simulation Software

Geographic Information Systems

Highways

Railways

Terminals

Other Geographic Features

Visualize the Transportation System as Layers of Data

Arrows are the Relationships

Dynamic Presence on CampusCampus Building

Every CampusStreet

Number of Persons

Clean Fuels & Efficient Engines

• CNG

• Electric and Hybrids

• Methanol

• Hydrogen

• What else?

Solar Powered Vehicle - UCB

Intelligent & (Semi)Automated Vehicles

Corrosion Monitor for Metal Elements - Lehigh Univ.

Smart Clothes

• Microprocessors, cameras, microphones, and wireless communication build into clothing

• Started in military applications

• Navigation, business, communication, telemedicine

Examples of Transportation Science & Technology

• Intelligent & Powerful Simulation Software & Hardware - Many examples in practice/ large scale fast microsimulation in progress

• Clean Fuels & Efficient Engines - Work is ongoing on hybrid vehicles (big and small)

• Intelligent & (Semi)Automated Vehicles - In public trans. - Automated Highway Systems

Examples of Transportation Science & Technology

• Intelligent Material & Automated Processes Testbeds of technologies

• Human Centered Design of Systems - Stronger emphasis of Intelligent Transportation Systems

Examples of Transportation Science & Technology

• Integrated Systems of Information, Telecommunications, & Infrastructure - ITS control centers

Examples of ITS Applications

• CHART in Baltimore (surveillance, incident response, traveler information, traffic management)

• Partners in MOTION (traveler information for a fee)

• Car Multimedia (networks and directions)

CHARTCHART Control Center

CHART

Operators

Traffic Monitors

Large Monitor

Other Info.

Passenger Information

• Static• Inexpensive• No Information

Updates• Familiar

Static and Changeable

Blue background, yellow and white letters = all driversOrange background, blue letters = Olympic family 9athletes and officials)

Passenger Information

• Dynamic• Expensive• Information Updated

Continuously• Unfamiliar• More Informative

Paris Metro

ITS Colmar Bus Stop

Prague Bus

Changing World =

New Problems & Technologies/Methods

Expanded Transportation Research to Include Security

• Example from the National Consortium of Remote Sensing in Transportation at UCSB

NCRST-Security Coordination, Cooperation and Support Program

• Prototype RS/GIS applications for disaster management.

• Expose the Transportation, Disaster Management and First Responder communities to RS/GIS technology and techniques common to all three groups.

• Develop information use scenarios, including roles, responsibilities and information flows, incorporating the role of new technologies, e.g. GPS, wireless communication devices.

• Develop cost and benefit models, and demonstration projects in cooperation with high profile jurisdictions

Another Example• RESEARCH UNIT ON SPATIAL

COGNITION AND CHOICE

Wearable Device that allows to travel in unfamiliar environments

Uses GPS to track an individual moving through the real world, recording their trip as a trace in a spatial database (digital map) carried in a wearable computer. GIS functionalities calculate shortest paths between current location (fixed by the GPS) and a given destination (keyboarded or spoken). A choice of interfaces include spatial language, virtual beacons, an auditory virtual environment, or Talking Signs

Examples Require:

Transdisciplinary Mentality

Increased Communication

Exchange of Ideas

Transportation Technology in the Future - Strengths

• Professionals are aware of the Transportation Science & Technology trends

• Diversified talent within transportation and associated disciplines (e.g., automotive, telecom)

• Funding opportunities are becoming a reality in US & EU

Transportation in the Future - Challenges

• Attract new talent to complement existing

• Retention of existing talent!

• Maintain the good funding sources for R&D and implementation

• Provide incentives and rewards for education opportunities

• Get public agencies on-board!

• Integrate different systems

Summary (Trans. Tech. Trends)

• Automated

• Pollution Free

• Intelligent

• High Speed

• Integrated

Questions?

Send me an emailKXG2@PSU.EDU