2/22/2007
Vehicle/highway technologies to be demonstrated March 1 in Meridian
BOISE - Imagine a transportation system that enables specially equipped vehicles to warn of an impending collision or communicate weather and road conditions to drivers in other cars. That technology is available today and will be demonstrated to the public in Meridian March 1.
ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) America and several of its members introduced a new project the VII (vehicle infrastructure integration) Roadshow during the 50th anniversary celebration of the interstate system last year.
The traveling exhibit and demonstration show technologies that support traffic safety and traveler information, including wireless communication and intelligent processing installed in vehicles and roadside equipment, according to ITS America.
ITD will sponsor the VII Roadshow at the Idaho State Police driving track near the POST Academy in Meridian. The event will begin with a 1 p.m. introduction and news conference. Neil Schuster, chief executive officer of ITS America, will speak during the news conference at 1 p.m.
Schuster also will speak to representatives of college and university engineering programs from throughout the Northwest when they meet at Boise State University the following day, March 2.
Demonstrations of vehicle and highway technologies will be given throughout the afternoon in an ITS-America semi-trailer at the driving track. The public will be guided through the trailer in small groups. Visitors also will be able to watch vehicles that have special on-board technologies in driving simulations on the ISP track.
The VII Roadshow is free and open to anyone interested in vehicle and highway technology.
On-track demonstrations will include:
* Traffic signal violation warning: An intelligent intersection distributes instantaneous traffic signal information to nearby vehicles. The receiving vehicle uses this data and vehicle positions and speed to determine the risk of an unsafe passage through the intersection.
* Public safety vehicle priority signal activation: A public safety vehicle issues a request to the intersection for signal priority. The traffic signal state is changed if appropriate, allowing the vehicle fast, safe passage through the intersection.
* In-vehicle signing: Dynamic road condition data is received from roadside equipment. Audible driver advisories are presented to the driver as the vehicle approaches an active work zone, avoiding a potentially dangerous situation.
The demonstrations are a collaborative effort of Connexis, DaimlerChrysler, Econolite, TechnoCom, Raytheon and Shel Leader ITS Communications, ITD and the Idaho chapter of ITS America.
Econolite provides the intelligent intersection equipment (including the traffic signal controller and associated sensors and processing) used in all demonstrations, according to ITS America.
TechnoCom provides software to interface with the roadside and intelligent intersection equipment, and wireless communication interfaces to the vehicles.
Raytheon provides roadside system engineering and integration services and application software. Connexis and Shel Leader ITS/Communications provide overall demonstration organization and coordination.
For more information, contact the Idaho Transportation Department at 334-8005.
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Note: The 1 p.m. news conference will provide an excellent opportunity for media representatives to learn about emerging technologies. The on-track demonstrations will provide an excellent overview of safety features that can be incorporated in vehicles. You are welcome to interview members of the ITS team. If you would like help in setting up interviews, please call Mel Coulter at 334-8005.