Integrated Sensing: A Simulation-Based Test Bed for Networked Sensors in Surface Transportation Systems

Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta GA

Investigators

Abstract

Urban transportation systems face important challenges concerning safety, delays due to congestion, pollution from vehicle emissions, and vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters. Sophisticated, integrated sensor/actuator systems offer the potential to make significant inroads in alleviating these problems. Vehicle-to-vehicle communication via ad hoc wireless networks present new opportunities for innovative applications with reduced public infrastructure investments. This project will explore the realization of simulation-based test beds for rapid evaluation and integration of sensor and actuator systems in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and use this test bed to explore architectural alternatives for data networks supporting ITS applications. An integrated distributed simulation approach will be utilized, focusing on interoperable simulations of transportation infrastructures, wired and wireless communication networks, and distributed computing applications. The project will incorporate data from a pool of instrumented vehicles operating in the Atlanta metropolitan area providing second-by-second sensor data concerning the vehicle's location, velocity, and acceleration, among others; data from road sensors in the Atlanta area will also be used for model and scenario development and validation of simulations. Test bed research will focus on developing a modular, federated simulation/emulation approach using a software backplane to interface simulations and data.