Highway-based vehicle sensors

Abstract

The misnomer Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems means a great many things. It does leave you though, with the impression that something, either the vehicle, or the highway, or maybe both will be intelligent in some way. Simply put, this intelligence has something to do with handling information. This tutorial focuses on the 'smart highway' aspect of intelligent transportation systems, and particularly on how the highway, or infrastructure, acquires information. I will try to answer several types of questions, starting with what measurements are made and why. I will also try to peer into the future to see what new information roadway operators and planners may need as a result of legislative and other changes. Then I will review the variables that constitute this desired information. Finally, I will examine the technologies that are used to acquire the information now, and those that may in the future.