The USDOT has released several new reports highlighting its latest research initiatives and findings related to intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies and connected vehicles:

• Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (AMS) Testbed Development and Evaluation to Support Dynamic Mobility Applications (DMA) and Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM) Programs: Evaluation Report for Chicago Testbed (FHWA-JPO-16-387): The report summarizes the evaluation procedures and results for the road weather ATDM strategies and DMA bundles tested in the Chicago Testbed. The purpose of this project is to test those applications considering a proactive network management approach that adopts simulation-based prediction capabilities. The Chicago Testbed was selected due to its variable weather environment, particularly winter snow events. 

• AMS Testbed Development and Evaluation to Support DMA and ATDM Programs: Summary Report for the Chicago Testbed (FHWA-JPO-16-388): This report summarizes the testbed development and analysis activities that were performed as part of the Chicago Testbed. The strategies tested include active demand management (ADM) and active traffic management (ATM) that are part of the ATDM strategy bundles, as well as weather-related strategies applicable to the Chicago Testbed. The ATM strategies analyzed are dynamic shoulder lanes, dynamic lane use control, dynamic speed limits, and adaptive traffic signal control. The ADM strategies consist of predictive traveler information and dynamic routing. The weather-related strategies include snow emergency parking management, traffic signal priority for winter maintenance vehicles, snowplow routing, and anti-icing and deicing operations. Finally, the speed harmonization application was coded, implemented, and tested in the Chicago Testbed. 

• An Overview of USDOT Connected Vehicle Roadside Equipment Research Activities (FHWA-JPO-17-433): This paper provides an overview of USDOT-sponsored research and development activities for dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) roadside units (RSUs), a key enabling component of vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technology. USDOT has engaged in connected vehicle research during the last decade that has focused on enabling vehicle-to-vehicle and V2I communications-based applications to achieve safety, mobility, and environmental benefits. Connected vehicle technologies include a variety of applications that can address differing needs, supported by standards and interoperable components that satisfy infrastructure owners and operators' requirements. By providing a synopsis of the background and current and planned RSU-related activities, this paper offers stakeholders information to understand, plan for, and engage in V2I research, development, and deployment efforts. 

• Smart Columbus - Systems Engineering Management Plan (FHWA-JPO-17-518): The City of Columbus requires rigorous, well-defined, and holistic systems engineering processes to support the planning, design, deployment, and operations and maintenance of the ITS and advanced technology projects that will be demonstrated as part of the Smart Columbus program. These projects include enhancements to existing systems as well as the development of new systems that will be deployed together in the City of Columbus as a cohesive, integrated system-of-systems to meet public and stakeholder needs. 

• Revision to DSRC Roadside Equipment Specification (FHWA-JPO-17-591): The document describes the overall process for evaluating DSRC RSUs against USDOT RSU Specification 4.1 in preparation for field evaluation. The test cases contained in this document only evaluate basic RSU functionality. This evaluation's results provide guidance to vendors regarding implementations that either do not or only partially meet the requirements evaluated. The results are not intended to serve as official USDOT approval or certification. 

To learn more about the ITS Joint Program Office's research, please visit: www.its.dot.gov.