This proposed initial stage research would conduct a scan of these technology resources and research results, and then summarize the results into a report and presentation. These products would provide content for researchers already active, and also could encourage U.S. stakeholders to recognize the potential and importance of this area.  The results of the proposed scan could also provide information about the potential value of convening experts to validate the concepts and to help establish research in the United States that complements and leverages work done internationally. For example, scan products could be used to encourage modal partners, among others, to better understand, to become more interested, and to support these concepts for funding of additional developmental research and even technology demonstrations. Recent research recognizes that freeway travel is likely the nearest opportunity for deploying vehicle automation concepts, particularly because the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program is funding significant research in vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems that might enable new mobility applications based on vehicle automation as well.

Goals

The key project objectives are to assess whether:

(1) Vehicle automation technologies enabled by vehicle-highway cooperation can significantly improve mobility.

(2) Research and technology innovations in Japan and Europe can be identified and transferred to strengthen the technology base in the United States.

(3) The state of technology development and programs available internationally can likely stimulate and encourage parallel research investments in the United States.

• Exploratory Advanced Research

• FY 2002-2022 / Exploratory Advanced Research