IEEE Electrification - September 2019 - 19

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loop detectors (speed and volume)
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cameras (see Figure 3)
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variable message signs
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electronic tolling
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weigh-in motion
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automatic vehicle identification
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travel-time signs
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smart work zones
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ramp metering
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lane control
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adaptive signal control
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geographic information systems for mapping
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GPS-based automatic vehicle location systems
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traffic-management centers.

ITS programs include
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traffic-incident management (respond to incidents
faster)
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data collection and analysis
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information dissemination (511, Google Maps, Waze).
ITS policies include
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high-occupancy-vehicle lanes
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high-occupancy-toll lanes
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a breakdown lane during peak hours
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no roadwork during peak hours or on holiday weekends.
ITS technologies and operational advancements that
use coordinated traffic-management centers allow for the
quick and efficient mobilization of responders to an incident by providing real-time traffic, route, weather, and
even hazardous-material information across agencies and
to the public.
The current state of the transportation system requires
implementing ITS technologies and repairing aging infrastructure, not on building new roads. The benefits of ITS
are wide reaching and applicable to urban and rural travelers; commuters and commercial truck drivers; and
pedestrians, bikers, and public transit users.

riders of all ages and abilities. This is known as a complete
streets approach to design. Designing roadways will continue to take a complete street approach in adopting
share-the-road concepts, and the use of mobility apps will
increase. ITS technologies will play a vital role in making
this transportation safer and more efficient.
Many states have adopted a goal of reducing traffic
fatalities to zero on U.S. roadways. As the number of cars
on the road continues to increase, so does the number of
traffic incidents. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found that 94% of major accidents were
caused by human error. Statistics show that a majority of
human-error collisions could be prevented by implementing CAV technology.

CAVs

The Role of ITS in Transportation Electrification
and Managing Congestion

CAVs will play a starring role in transportation electrification and managing congestion. Building on decades of ITS
research, pilot projects, and deployments, the near future
will include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. CAVs have the potential to
avoid collisions, improve congestion, and provide environmental benefits.
ITS technology is the foundation for CAVs. Most visions
of CAVs assume an all-EV fleet. There is potential to improve
roadway congestion while at the same time providing environmental benefits through electric CAVs. EVs will assist
states and the nation in meeting policy targets for reducing
GHGs. Some of the noted benefits of CAVs include
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reduced shared mobility costs for commercial fleets
with the removal of human drivers, resulting in a
reduced labor cost
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lower parking demand because CAVs can operate
24/7, reducing the space needed for parking in urban
areas with limited parking
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reduced congestion in urban areas, through lower private vehicle ownership
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more efficient route planning through V2V and V2I
communication

We live in an exciting time for transportation. ITS is playing many roles in transportation electrification and managing traffic congestion. This generation and generations
to follow will live in a world where connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) are mainstream and the days of
driving yourself will be phased out. It is possible that, as
the cost of MaaS becomes equal to or less expensive than
private car ownership, car ownership will decrease. Traffic
congestion has the potential to decrease with the ability of
CAVs to travel more closely together and avoid human
error, which is the major cause of vehicle crashes.
In urbanized areas, we will potentially see an increase
in alternative first- and last-mile choices: bikes, e-bikes,
e-scooters, walking, and MaaS choices. In urban and rural
areas, many agencies are developing transportation
designs focused on enabling safe access for all users,
including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit

Figure 3. A traffic camera. (Source: Wikimedia Commons.)

IEEE Electrific ation Magazine / S EP T EM BE R 2 0 1 9

IEEE Electrification - September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Electrification - September 2019