Advanced Vehicle and Highway Technologies

TRB Special Report 232 - Advanced Vehicle and Highway Technologies addresses the overall objectives for a national intelligent vehicle- highway systems (IVHS) initiative and methods by which the program could be managed effectively.

The committee reviewed experience in the United States with existing systems that incorporate some IVHS technology; programs under way to develop and demonstrate advanced systems in the United States, Europe, and Japan; and proposals for new U.S. programs from Mobility 2000 and from others. It also considered alternative models for managing and implementing research and for organizing public- private cooperative efforts. Specifically, three topics were examined. First, the committee proposed a vision for the potential development of IVHS. Second, the committee considered the process necessary to define a system architecture. Finally, the committee examined issues concerning appropriate public- and private-sector roles in research and operation of IVHS and appropriate assignment of responsibilities within the public sector with reference to the system design and management issues that are likely to arise during IVHS development during the coming decade.

This report contains the committee's findings. Its conclusions and recommendations are addressed to those organizations that would be able to act on the committee's recommendations: DOT, Congress, IVHS America, the individual state departments of transportation, and private firms in the automotive, electronics, engineering, and communications industries.