Cyber-physical integration to connect vehicles for transformed transportation safety and efficiency

Abstract

In this paper, we explore a distributed cyber-physical solution using connected vehicle technology (CVtech) to substantially mitigate transportation systems' safety and efficiency problems. Future vehicles, by communicating with other vehicles (V-V), roadside infrastructures (V-R), and personal communication devices (V-P), will adapt to the external regional environment and consequently avoid collisions and congestion. We proposes to seamlessly integrate networked and embedded sensing, computational intelligence, and real-time communication (cyber) into transportation infrastructure including vehicles and roadsides (physical) to facilitate self-organization and system coordination. Specifically, this research addresses two specific themes: Foundations by advancing basic theories in component fields and abstracting the particular knowledge into core principles that integrate cyber and physical processes; and Methods and Tools by designing alternative architectures, modeling a unified online system of cyber and physical elements. The integration of research and education will prepare the future workforce to operate and advance CPS. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.