Michigan Intellidrive^sm Test Bed Availability

A significant development phase in the evolution of Intellidrive^sm technologies was the development of the MI Testbed. Originally installed as part of the USDOT cooperative program with the US automakers, it was used to conduct proof of concept testing of 5.9GHZ DRC communications for safety, mobility and other convenience applications. The proof of concept testing was successfully completed in 2008. Since that time the further development work has been conducted to implement some of the findings of the POC testing and as a result improve the performance and robustness of the test bed. This enhancement work is now complete and the USDOT are making the test bed available to any organization that wishes to conduct legitimate research into Intellidrive^sm activities.

The enhanced test bed consists of 55 RSEs distributed strategically over 75 miles of arterial and freeway roads located in the northwestern suburbs of Detroit. The RSEs are part of a network backhauled to a Service Delivery Node and an Enterprise Network Operations Center. Additionally there are 10 vehicles equipped with On Board Equipment including dash board displays and dual antennas that are compatible with the network and capable of hosting a variety of safety, mobility and convenience applications. Some applications are already developed and operational including Heartbeat (a basic safety link test application), In-vehicle Signage, Probe Data Collection, Tolling and Parking Payment, and a simple form of Off Board Navigation. The network and on board equipment are capable of hosting these applications simultaneously.

The use of the test bed is likely to appeal to a variety of users including:

• OE Manufacturers of Intellidrive^sm network and mobile equipments and components
• OE manufacturers of automotive safety equipment
• Aftermarket manufactures of portable automotive communication devices
• Public transportation authorities
• Manufacturers of roadside equipment
• Automated parking and tolling operators
• Universities conducting research into Intelligent Transportation Systems

Some of the future uses of the test bed envisaged include but are not limited to:

• New on board and backend application development for safety, mobility and convenience ( including tolling and parking applications)
• Development of onboard equipment including alternative radios and antennas
• Development of multi-communications media capability
• Assessment of vehicle installation impact on system performance
• Development lower cost roadside equipment
• Investigation of means to reduce RSE density without sacrificing service coverage
• Means of efficiently using existing backhaul traffic management communication systems
• Equipment compatibility testing

Users of the test bed are expected to fund and support their own commercial development, however the USDOT are able to provide local expert technical and program support for the both the existing network and the vehicles equipped with on board equipment. This support is available immediately.

More information describing the test beds capability can be found on line at http://www.intellidriveusa.org/research/michigan-testbed.php. Reports describing the results of POC testing can be found at http://www.intellidriveusa.org/library/rept-dsrc-poc.php.

For further information please contact please contact [email protected] or [email protected].