CTS Seminar Series

The next quantum leap in vehicle safety is represented by cooperative systems where vehicles exchange critical safety information among themselves and with the roadside infrastructure. The research community has already developed a set of new communication standards and built prototype systems demonstrating the feasibility and high potential introduced by cooperation among road users. However, key areas such as security and smart channel load control techniques still need to be addressed.

In this seminar, Luca Delgrossi will discuss his team's contribution to the development of 5.9 GHz Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) technology, including their participation in the first installation of the system at an intersection in Atherton, California. Delgrossi will also detail the technology's advantages and limitations, and discuss how 5.9 GHz DSRC can be used by automotive OEMs to enhance safety.

Speaker

Luca Delgrossi, Director, Driver Assistance and Chassis Systems, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America

Delgrossi's team in Palo Alto, California, has contributed to the development of 5.9 GHz dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) technology since the early stages and helped install the first 5.9 GHz DSRC intersection at 5th and El Camino Real in Atherton, California. In 2008, the team publicly demonstrated a Mercedes-Benz S-550 coming to stop automatically upon detection of an imminent red light violation at an instrumented intersection at the ITS World Congress in New York, New York.

Delgrossi, who holds a Ph.D. in computer science, also serves as chairman of the board of directors at the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) Consortium and is co-editor of the IEEE Communications Magazine Automotive Networking and Applications Series.

Airport managers and commissioners have historically confronted a dilemma when trying to make a case regarding the economic value of their airport. In response to this issue, William Gartner and Daniel Erkkila of the University of Minnesota developed a Web-based airport economic impact calculator in 2004.

In this presentation, Gartner will detail the recent process of updating the calculator, which prompts users to enter data on nine types of economic activity to determine the impact of their local airport. The newly updated calculator allows for greater variability in the size and scale of airport operations and also reflects changes in the economy since the calculator was first developed. Gartner will also discuss an accompanying study on the total economic impact of Minnesota's airports. Among the findings: Minnesota airports generated $12.2 billion in economic activity last year.

In this seminar, Gary Davis will report on the use of data collected in the Strategic Highway Research Program 2 to support microscopic modeling of crashes and near-crashes. In this project, several crashes between a following and leading vehicle were reconstructed using vehicle-based data from a 100-car study, site-based video data from the Minnesota Traffic Observatory, and site-based Doppler shift data from the Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance Systems (CICAS) project.

In each case, estimates of acceleration histories, driver reaction time, and the situation at the start of the reaction phase were obtained. The project also demonstrated the potential of systems such as CICAS to provide data on near-crashes in intersections.

This seminar will discuss the development of Web-based simulation modules to improve instruction in transportation engineering courses. Although simulation has proven to be a powerful tool in encouraging active learning in other disciplines, it has not yet been fully adopted in transportation engineering.

The Web-based interface allows easy access for users without the high cost associated with commercially available simulation products. The simulation-based materials form an active textbook, which offers an interactive learning environment to undergraduate students.

The modules are being rigorously evaluated and tested in course offerings from civil engineering programs across the country and are being disseminated to the general public through the project Web site.

In this seminar, Hayes will describe a study examining the safety impact of three decision support systems (DSS) used at intersections where a highway crosses a minor road controlled by a stop sign. Many crashes occur at such intersections because even cautious drivers sometimes make poor judgments about when to enter high-speed highway traffic.

The three DSS warning systems evaluated in this study were a dynamic highway sign placed in the intersection, a similar display placed on sideview mirrors, and a haptic warning system in the seat that vibrates when gaps are unsafe. All three were evaluated and compared to identify which has the greatest ability to reduce crashes and increase safe driving behaviors.

Speaker: Caroline Hayes, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota

This seminar addressed findings from a study to identify methods and metrics for evaluating interagency coordination in traffic incident management. For more information, see http://www.cts.umn.edu/Events/ResearchSeminars/2010/spring/feb25.html

This seminar addressed findings from a research project to define the current state-of-the-art regarding the use of bridge deck sealants and crack sealers to extend the life of reinforced concrete bridge decks. For more information, see http://www.cts.umn.edu/Events/ResearchSeminars/2010/spring/feb17.html

This presentation discusses the nature and magnitude of benefits accruing to nearby properties that arise from major highway construction or reconstruction projects, more precisely those that add capacity to an existing highway. For more information, see http://www.cts.umn.edu/Events/ResearchSeminars/2009/fall/oct29.html

This seminar presented procedures developed through research (NCHRP 3-87) for implementing ramp-management strategies at freeway sections that regularly experience breakdown and operate under congested conditions. For more information, see http://www.its.umn.edu/Events/SeminarSeries/2009/fall/october22/index.html

This seminar discussed a field experiment designed to test whether an alternative drain configuration might have a significant effect on drainage amount and moisture conditions beneath pavements. The experiment evaluated the efficacy of selected drain configurations, including the conventional edge-drain system and two centerline configurations suggested by county engineers in Minnesota. For more information, see http://www.cts.umn.edu/Events/ResearchSeminars/2009/fall/oct15.html