Intelligent Transportation Systems 21CV754

Module – 3
Structure
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Objectives
3.2 Public transportation applications
3.3 Regional strategic transportation planning
3.4 Regional architectures
3.5 Recommended questions
3.6 Outcomes
3.7 Further Reading

3.0 Introduction
Public transportation plays a vital role in urban mobility, offering an efficient and
environmentally sustainable alternative to private vehicles. Intelligent Transportation
Systems (ITS) leverage advanced technologies to enhance the efficiency, safety, and
reliability of public transportation systems, thereby improving the overall user experience

3.1 Objectives
 Have an awareness and scope of transport issues, such as, traffic safety, public
transport, advanced vehicle management and control.
 Learn how Intelligent transport systems (ITS) involve the application of information
technology and telecommunications to control traffic, inform travellers and drivers,
operate public transport, automating payments, handle emergencies and incidents,
operate commercial fleets and freight exchange, and automate driving and safety.

3.2 Public transportation applications

Real-Time Tracking
Purpose: Provides users with up-to-the-minute information on the location and arrival times
of buses, trains, and other transit vehicles.
Components:
 GPS Tracking: Integration with GPS-enabled vehicles allows users to see real-time
locations.
 Arrival Predictions: Algorithms calculate estimated arrival times based on current
traffic conditions and transit schedules

Route Planning and Navigation

Purpose: Helps users find the best route based on factors like time, distance, and mode of
transport.
Components:
 Multi-Modal Route Options: Offers choices between various modes of public
transportation (e.g., bus, train, tram) and often includes walking and biking options.
 Step-by-Step Navigation: Real-time guidance to assist users with directions,
transfers, and stops along their journey.

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Schedule Information
Purpose: Provides detailed information on transit schedules to help users plan their trips.
Components:
 Static Timetables: Display schedules for different transit routes and stops.
 Service Alerts: Notifies users of schedule changes, delays, and service disruptions.

Fare Information and Payment Options

Purpose: Informs users of fare costs and offers convenient payment methods.
Components:
 Fare Calculation: Details of fare costs based on route, distance, and fare classes (e.g.,
adult, student, senior).
 In-App Payments and E-Tickets: Digital payment options (e.g., credit/debit, mobile
wallets) allow users to pay directly within the app and access e-tickets.

Accessibility and Inclusivity Features

Purpose: Ensures that the app is usable for people with disabilities.
Components:
 Wheelchair Accessibility Information: Identifies accessible vehicles, stations, and
routes.
 Voice Guidance and Screen Readers: Integrates with screen readers for visually
impaired users and provides audio navigation.

User Alerts and Notifications

Purpose: Keeps users informed of important updates and reminders.
Components:
 Arrival and Departure Alerts: Reminders of approaching stops and transfer points.
 Service Disruption Alerts: Notifications for delays, closures, or changes in service.

Crowd and Occupancy Information

Purpose: Provides users with information on vehicle occupancy to make travel more
comfortable.
Components:
 Occupancy Levels: Displays real-time crowding levels on vehicles to help users
choose less crowded options.
 Social Distancing Indicators: Information on occupancy to support social distancing
where required.

Feedback and Rating System

Purpose: Allows users to provide feedback on transit services to help improve operations.
Components:
 Service Ratings: Users can rate their experience on specific routes and vehicles.

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Offline Mode
Purpose: Ensures the app remains functional when there’s no internet connectivity.
Components:
 Offline Maps and Schedules: Downloadable maps and timetables allow access to
essential information offline.
 Stored Routes: Users can save frequently used routes for offline use.

Integration with Other Services

Purpose: Expands functionality by connecting with third-party services and apps.
Components:
 Rideshare and Micro mobility: Integrates with bike-sharing, scooter services, and
rideshare options for first-mile and last-mile connectivity.
 Weather and Traffic Integration: Provides weather updates and traffic information that
may affect transit routes.

Additional Features:
 Bike Sharing Integration: The app can integrate with bike-sharing services to provide
multimodal travel options.
 Car Sharing Integration: Similar to bike sharing, the app can integrate with car-
sharing services.
 Social Features: Users can share their travel plans with friends and family, and
collaborate on group trips

Popular Public Transportation Apps:

 Google Maps: A versatile app that offers comprehensive public transportation
information for many cities worldwide.
 City mapper: Known for its detailed route planning and real-time updates.
 Moovit: A popular app that provides real-time information, route planning, and
ticketing options.
 Transit App: Offers a clean interface and accurate information for various cities.

3.3 Regional strategic transportation planning in ITS

3.3.1 Objectives
 Mobility and Accessibility: Ensure seamless movement of people and goods across
the region.
 Sustainability: Promote eco-friendly transportation systems that reduce emissions and
energy use.
 Equity: Ensure all communities have access to safe and reliable transportation
options.
 Safety: Minimize accidents and enhance traveler security using advanced ITS
technologies.
 Economic Growth: Support regional economic development by improving
connectivity and reducing congestion.

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3.3.2 Core elements of ITS in regional planning

Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS): Tools like adaptive traffic signals, real-
time traffic monitoring, and dynamic message signs.

Advanced Traveller Information Systems (ATIS): Apps or platforms providing real-time

updates on road conditions, weather, or public transport schedules.

Integrated Corridor Management (ICM): Coordinated management of different

transportation modes within a corridor for improved efficiency.

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs): Infrastructure planning for smart roads,
V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication, and self-driving technologies.

Public Transport Optimization: Integration of real-time data to enhance bus rapid transit
(BRT), rail, and shared mobility systems.

Sustainable Transport Solutions: Electric vehicle charging networks, micro-mobility lanes,

and smart parking systems.

3.3.3 Key strategies in regional transportation planning

Data-Driven Decision Making: Using big data, GIS mapping, and AI to analyze traffic
patterns, predict congestion, and design interventions.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaboration with private tech firms and service
providers to deploy ITS infrastructure and systems.

Scenario Planning and Modelling: Simulating future transportation demand under various
growth and policy scenarios.

Intermodal Integration: Ensuring seamless connectivity between different transportation

modes (e.g., rail to bus to micro-mobility).

Policy Frameworks: Developing regional policies for congestion pricing, data sharing, and
ITS deployment standards.

3.3.4 Challenges in strategic ITS planning

Coordination across Jurisdictions: Aligning plans among municipalities, counties, and
states in the region.
Funding and Investment: Securing consistent financing for long-term ITS projects.
Data Privacy and Security: Protecting user data while enabling ITS innovations like
predictive analytics.

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Adapting to Rapid Technological Change:Ensuring infrastructure remains relevant as

technologies evolve.
Public Acceptance: Educating stakeholders and users on the benefits and uses of ITS
technologies.

3.3.5 Benefits of ITS in regional planning

 Enhanced traffic flow and reduced congestion.
 Lower greenhouse gas emissions due to optimized vehicle usage.
 Improved travel time reliability and user satisfaction.
 Reduced operational costs for regional transport authorities.
 Safer transportation systems for all users.

3.4 Regional architectures

 The ITS Architecture provides a common framework for planning, defining, and
integrating intelligent transportation systems.
 It specifies how the different ITS components would interact with each other to help
solving transportation problems.
 It provides the transportation professionals to address their needs with wide variety of
options.
 It identifies and describes various functions and assigns responsibilities to various
stake-holders of ITS.
 The ITS architecture should be common and of specified standards throughout the
state or region so that it can address solution to several problems while interacting
with various agencies.
 Interoperability - The ITS architecture should be such that the information collected,
function implemented or any equipment installed be interoperable by various agencies
in different state and regions.
 Capable of sharing and exchanging information - The information by traffic
operations may be useful to the emergency services.
 Resource sharing - regional communication towers constructed by various private
agencies are required to be shared by ITS operations.

3.4.1 National ITS Architecture

 This is developed by US Department of Transportation to provide guidance and co-
ordinate all regions in deploying ITS.
 It documents all information available and keep updating continuously.

3.4.2 User services and their requirements

 A number of functions are needed to accomplish the user services.
 These functional statements are called user services requirements.
 For all the user services the requirements have been specified.
 If any new function is added, new requirements are to be defined.

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Traffic Control provides the capability to efficiently manage the movement of traffic on
streets and highways. Four functions are provided which are

(1) Traffic Flow Optimization,

(2) Traffic Surveillance,
(3) Control, and
(4) Provide Information

This will also include control of network signal systems with integration of freeway control.
The specified User service requirements
(1) TC shall include a Traffic Flow Optimization function to provide the capability to
optimize traffic flow.
(1.1) Traffic Flow Optimization shall employ control strategies that seek to maximize traffic-
movement efficiency.
(1.2) Traffic Flow Optimization shall include a wide area optimization capability, to include
several jurisdictions.
(1.2.1) Wide area optimization shall integrate the control of network signal systems with the
control of freeways.
(1.2.2) Wide area optimization shall include features that provide preferential treatment for
transit vehicles.
(2) TC shall include a Traffic Surveillance function.

3.4.3 Logical Architecture

Logical architecture is a system design activity that breaks down a system into abstract
components that interact to meet system requirements. It's an intermediary between system
requirements and physical architecture.
• To accomplish user service requirements many functions or processes are needed.
• The logical architecture defines a set of functions (or processes) and information
flows (or data flows) that respond to the user service requirements.
• It describes the lower end interaction of different components of ITS.
• Processes and data flows are grouped to form particular functions.
• These are represented graphically by data flow diagrams (DFDs).

Fig: Logical Architecture : Working areas

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• Fig shows the interaction of Manage Traffic process with other processes. Each
process is broken down into more sub processes.
• The sub process is further broken into sub process which is called process
specifications (P-specs) lowest level.
• These p specs are required to be performed to fulfill user services requirements

Characteristics of logical architecture

Describes software components:Logical architecture shows the software components that
are needed to provide a specific set of services to end users.

Describes interactions between components: Logical architecture shows how the software
components interact with each other.

Mitigates the impact of changes:Logical architecture minimizes the impact of changes to

system requirements and technology on system design.

Easier to allocate components: Logical architecture makes it easier to allocate components

because functions can be grouped with criteria such as cohesion, coupling, design for change,
reliability, and performance.
Logical architecture differs from physical architecture, which describes the physical
hardware or platform needed for a system. The logical architecture and logical boundaries of
a system do not necessarily map one-to-one to the physical or deployment architecture.

3.4.4 Physical Architecture

• Physical architecture is a key aspect of transportation planning, and it can include the
design of physical facilities, such as highways, rapid transit, schools, and housing.
• The design quality of these facilities is important for making them attractive, usable,
and effective.
• It's also important to consider how new developments integrate with existing
infrastructure.
• The functions from logical architecture that serve the same need are grouped into sub
systems.
• With these subsystems a physical entity is developed to deliver functions.
• The data flow of logical architecture are also combined to define interface between
subsystems.

The physical architecture of ITS defines the physical subsystems and architectural flows
based on the logical architecture. The 22 subsystems are broadly classified in four groups as
centers, field, vehicle, and travelers.
The subsystems and communications that comprise the national physical architecture.
The subsystem represents aggregation of functions that serve the same transportation need
and closely correspond to physical elements of transportation management system.

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Vehicle group consists of five different types of vehicles. The traveler group represents
different ways a traveler can access information on the status of the transportation system.
There are four different types of communication systems.
1. Fixed point to fixed point
2. Wide area wireless
3. Vehicle - vehicle communication
4. Field - vehicle communication

3.5Recommended questions
1. Enumerate the various public transportation applications
2. Explain the concept of regional strategic transportation planning
3. Explain the components of ITS architecture
4. Briefly discuss the contribution of ITS in transportation planning

3.6 Outcomes
Understand the systems engineering application in ITS during strategic transportation
planning

3.7 Further Reading

 https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/regitsarchguide/7use.htm
 https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/lpo_ref_guide/prim0410.htm
 https://www.civil.iitb.ac.in/tvm/nptel/591_ITS_1/web/web.html

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