South East Michigan Smart Transportation
Like cell phones, vehicles will connect to multiple data services, including cellular, wi-fi and DSRC (digital short range communication). Heterogeneous communications are important because a single data service (i.e. cellular) may not always be available: A dropped phone call is inconvenient; a “dropped” vehicle message could be dangerous if it’s for crash avoidance. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is developing an open architecture that supports heterogeneous communications via multiple data services for vehicle applications. The DOT architecture is trusted and confidential, flexible enough to accomplish known and unknown purposes, robust enough to scale across multiple kinds of infrastructure, leveraging a possible mandate for DSRC in vehicles for use cases beyond safety. For the Smart America Challenge project, NextEnergy is developing an application that uses the US DOT architecture help electric vehicle owners find charging stations. This is the first third-party application to use the US DOT open architecture. This goal is to demonstrate the US DOT architecture is complete enough to meld into the mix of DSRC, cellular and wi-fi data services, incorporate third party applications to meet user needs, and integrate with smart energy objectives. This project is leading up to larger demonstrate on of how the US DOT architecture can support diverse connected vehicle applications, including crash avoidance, traffic rerouting; smart parking, etc. Ultimately these larger demonstrations will create additional software development and manufacturing jobs, support national programs designed to promote alternative fuel vehicle and open source software development, and expand the digital economy.
Team Members
- U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
- NextEnergy