SPaT Challenge Overview and Lessons Learned

Blaine Leonard, P.E.Technology & Innovation Engineer, Utah DOT

AASHTO CTSO Technology Subcommittee Co-Chair

The SPaT Challenge

Challenge state and local public sector transportation Infrastructure Owners & Operators (IO&Os) to deploy DSRC infrastructure with SPaT (and MAP) broadcasts in at least one coordinated corridor or network (approximately 20 signalized intersections) in each state by January 2020.

Additional V2I Applications that build on SPaT are also encouraged!

20 Intersections in 50 states by 2020!

SPaT Challenge

What is SPaT? A Signal Phase and Timing (SPaT) message defines the current intersection signal light phasesCurrent state of all lanes at intersection are provided, as well as any active pre-emption or priority.SPaT message defined by SAE J2735

Signalized Intersections are the “low-hanging fruit” for

connected vehicle technology

SPaT Challenge

Why do this Challenge?To provide Infrastructure Owner-Operators (IOOs) with an entryinto DSRC-based V2I deployment and gain valuable procurement, licensing, installation, and operation experience, which in turn will:

• Lay ground work for more advanced V2I testing and/or deployments• Show a commitment to OEMs and applications developers

Analogous to early fiber deployments – most benefits come later

SPaT ChallengeSPaT broadcasts are typicallyaccompanied by:• Broadcasts of MAP/GID data (a detailed

data file that describes the physical intersection)

Ultimately, SPaT broadcasts will also need:• A security certificate (SCMS)• A GPS Real-time Correction Message

(RTCM)

SPaT and MAP broadcast is the basis of the SPaT Challenge.

Subsequent efforts (Phase 2) should include RTCM, SCMS, and V2I Applications

SPaT Challenge Participants (10-04-18)

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)www.transportationops.org/spatchallenge

SPaT Challenge Resources

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SPaT Challenge Resource Status

SPaT Challenge Frequently Asked Questions Available

Guidelines for Selecting Corridors Available

Implementation Guidance Available

DSRC Licensing Guidance Available

SPaT Challenge Folio Available

Infrastructure System Model Concept of Operations Available

Infrastructure System Model Requirements Available

Message Verification Document (CAMP) Available

Estimated Costs (installation & maintenance) Draft Being Reviewed

Specifications & Requirements In Development

Procurement Guidance In Development

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)www.transportationops.org/spatchallenge

SPaT Broadcast Verification

• Validation document produced by CAMP• Available on NOCOE SPaT Challenge Web site

• Requires use of OBU of different brand than RSU• Tool may be available – stay tuned

SPaT Challenge WebinarsWebinars / Workshops have been held:

• Sponsored by NOCOE (no cost)• Series of 8 webinars (completed)• All webinars are recorded / presentation material available

Topics:• Overview of SPaT Challenge• Systems Engineering / Requirements• SPaT messages• MAP message creation• GPS position correction• RSU specification & licensing• Backhaul communications• Verifying the messages• Security Credential Management System (SCMS)• Deployment examples

Next Webinar: October 23, 2018

Connectivity

Cellular 4G technologyVehicle to the cloud

(corporate)Navagation / infotainmentRelatively slow

DSRC (5.9GHz) technologyVehicle to everything

(brand-agnostic)Safety / mobility infoDedicated bandwidth

(no interference)No subscription feeVery fast

Cellular 5G technologyVehicle to everything

(brand-agnostic)Safety / mobility info andeverything else

Dedicated bandwidth?Very fast (in theory)Not here yet . . .

Deployment Approaches University-Driven ApproachPennDOT / Carnegie Mellon

Consultant-Driven ApproachGeorgia DOT / Atkins etc

DOT-Driven ApproachFlorida DOT

Connected Fleet Challenge

Agencies that have deployed infrastructure to broadcast SPaTand MAP data are now challenged to work with local partners to equip vehicles with an On-board Unit (OBU) to receive the SPaT and MAP data by 2021

Transit Fleets Emergency Responders

• Form Key Partnerships with Fleet Operators• Learn to Install On-Board Equipment

Utah CV Corridor

• Full DSRC Corridor • Future testing / deployment• Prepare for equipped vehicles

• Conditional Transit Signal Priority for Improved Schedule Reliability • UTA Bus Route 217 (Redwood Road)• MMITSS (Utah Version)• Goal: increase from 86% to 94%• Minimal impact to other traffic

• Meet the SPaT Challenge

Redwood Road CV Corridor

30 signalized intersections• Full fiber optic connectivity

• All signals connected to central system• Intelight MaxView

• Running signal performance metrics• Two brands of signal controller:

• 4 - Econolite (Cobalt)• 26 – Intelight

RSUs installed on 25 intersections• Four brands of DSRC RSU

• Only Cohda / Lear running MMITSS• All actively broadcasting SPaT / MAP

Redwood Road Installation• RSU mounted on signal pole, mast arm, luminaire pole

• Omni-directional antenna, but obstructions can impair signal• Ethernet cable to cabinet

• Lessons:• Hardware availability is variable• Hardware installation is straightforward• RSU range is much greater than 300m• MAP creation isn’t trivial – there is no guidance document

Signal Cabinet Installation

Roadside Application

Processor (RSP)Fiber Jumper

Processor Power Supply

Ethernet Power Supply

Signal Controller

Ethernet (Fiber) Switch

On-Board Installation• DSRC OBU • “Beaglebone” On-board Processor (OBP)• Power Supply• Antenna (roof of bus): DSRC & GPS

• Lessons:• SPaT Challenge doesn’t include vehicles, but . . .• RSU-OBU communication verification was challenging (but good) • Antenna placement is tricky• Consider purchasing a software development kit

DSRC Hardware• Some of the challenges included:

• Extracting SPaT data from the Controller• DSRC hardware is still maturing (as is vendor capacity)• Interoperability is not really there

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Hardware Costs:OBU: $1000 – 1500RSU: $1200 – 2600

Installation Costs:Variable . . . • Installation• Spectrum Evaluation• Integration• Testing• Application?• Verification

Redwood Road DSRC TSP Corridor

Signal Priority for Late Buses is Operational• Running since Nov 2017• First “operational” DSRC V2I system in US• Improved performance is being achieved

• Reliability increase: 88% to 94% (southbound peak)

Next Steps for UDOT

• Provo-Orem TRIP (BRT)• 47 Intersections• 25 Buses• Buses to run 6-minute headway• November ’18 Operational

• Snow Plow Priority• Priority when actively plowing• Goal is to improve safety• Winter 2018 Operational

Getting Started

• Take Advantage of Lessons from Others• NOCOE SPaT Challenge Resources / Webinars• Colleagues in other states / local agencies• Consultants and vendors with experience

• Prepare a Corridor• Modern signal equipment• Good backhaul

• Deployment• Controller – DSRC compatibility• Start small – but with future in mind• One step at a time

We need to know how to do thisWe should start now.

Build the foundation firstStart small and build

The best thing to do is the right thingThe second best thing to do is the wrong thingThe worst thing to do is nothing at all

- Theodore Roosevelt