About IntelliDriveSM
Overview
What Is IntelliDriveSM?
IntelliDriveSM is a multimodal initiative that aims to enable safe, interoperable networked wireless communications among vehicles, the infrastructure, and passengers' personal communications devices.
IntelliDriveSM research is being sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and others to leverage the potentially transformative capabilities of wireless technology to make surface transportation safer, smarter and greener. USDOT research is supporting the development and testing of IntelliDriveSM technologies and applications, to determine their potential benefits and costs. If successfully deployed, IntelliDriveSM will ultimately enhance the safety, mobility and quality of life of all Americans, while helping to reduce the environmental impact of surface transportation.
How Does IntelliDriveSM deliver networked connectivity?
IntelliDriveSM applications provide connectivity:
- Among vehicles to enable crash prevention;
- Between vehicles and the infrastructure to enable safety, mobility and environmental benefits; and
- Among vehicles, infrastructure, and wireless devices to provide continuous real-time connectivity to all system users.
Like the Internet, which provides information connectivity, IntelliDriveSM provides a starting point for transportation connectivity. IntelliDriveSM has the potential to enable countless applications and spawn new industries. Today we can see only the tip of the iceberg.
What types of IntelliDriveSM applications are being developed?
IntelliDriveSM is envisioned to ultimately encompass safety applications, mobility applications, and environmental applications.
IntelliDriveSM safety applications would enable vehicles to have 360-degree awareness to inform a vehicle operator of hazards and situations they can't see. IntelliDriveSM safety applications have the potential to reduce crashes through advisories and warnings. For instance, vehicle operators may be advised of a school zone; sharp ramp curve; or slippery patch of roadway ahead. Drivers could also be advised of the presence of IntelliDriveSM-equipped bicycles and pedestrians around them, which would enhance the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists as well as motorists. Warnings could be provided more imminent crash situations, such as during merging operations put vehicles on a collision path, or when vehicle ahead stops suddenly.
IntelliDriveSM mobility applications are intended to provide a connected, data-rich travel environment based on information transmitted anonymously from thousands of vehicles that are using the transportation system at a particular time. This information could help transportation managers monitor and manage transportation system performance – for example, by adjusting traffic signals, transit operations, or dispatching maintenance crews or emergency services. This information could also help transportation agencies and fleet operators to manage crews and use resources as efficiently as possible.
Providing travelers with real-time information about traffic congestion and other travel conditions helps them make more informed decisions that can reduce the environmental impact of their trip. Informed travelers may decide to avoid congestion by taking alternate routes or public transit, or by rescheduling their trip – all of which can make their trip more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly. The ability for vehicles to "talk to" the infrastructure could provide information to the vehicle operator so that he/she can drive through a traffic signal network at optimum speeds to reduce stopping. Many transportation management activities that enhance mobility, by reducing vehicle idling due to traffic congestion, also potentially reduce emissions.
More: IntelliDriveSM FAQs | Benefits
IntelliDriveSM Levels
IntelliDriveSM enables many applications, each of which has different requirements. The IntelliDriveSM Levels Diagram shows relationships between applications and technical requirements. The Levels Diagram also shows how stakeholder interests correlate with the various applications and technical requirements.
