Technology, Vision and Needs Analysis for Advanced Emergency Response >

Integrated Active Transportation System (IATS)

The Integrated Active Transportation System (IATS)[1] is a new innovative Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) program that envisions capabilities and systems that are well beyond those of the current IntelliDrive initiative. IntelliDrive is currently a research program with a number of test beds around the country.  It includes a variety of technologies and applications that enable networked, wireless communications among vehicles, the infrastructure, and passengers’ personal communications devices. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication capability is specifically designed for safety applications and will enable real-time transmission of data, permitting vehicles to perform calculations and issue driver alerts or advisories.  

The goal with IATS however, is to shift from warning or information-only systems (e.g., warning of a sharp ramp curve, or slippery patch of roadway ahead) to systems that actively control acceleration, braking and steering, leading to semi-autonomous and eventually fully autonomous vehicle operation.   IATS envisions greater integration of system components (i.e., driver-vehicle-road-environment) with significant use of new sciences, technologies and communications.  It sees drivers, vehicles and infrastructure as being completely ‘connected’ with five modes of interaction directed at improving transportation safety and efficiency.   These modes of interaction include:  vehicle-to-road (V2R), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V),  driver-to-road (D2R), driver-to-vehicle (D2V) and emergency response and weather systems (connected to vehicle, driver and road).  The vision for IATS is that it will be capable of providing “real-time information on all roads, to all modes, all the time” [1].   This emphasis on providing real-time information, bodes well for emergency response and rescue, since accurate and timely information is critical to the effective performance of these activities. 

[1] Lee, K. “Advanced Research for Integrated Active Transportation System (IATS);  A Revised Role, Vision & Approach”, Presented at the National Workshop on New Research Directions for High Confidence Transportation CPS: Automotive, Aviation & Rail, Vienna, VA, Nov 18, 2008.