ITS World Congress has always been a mixed bag. Held annually, the international meeting rotates between North America, Europe and Asia and aims to blend every aspect of ITS, from technology to implementation; from policy and funding to business and investment.
This year’s exhibition was no exception. While the 2014 theme, “Transportation for Tomorrow,” inspired a lot of hype about autonomous vehicles and vehicle connectivity, this year’s event proved to be a perfect place for industry insiders to find out the current buzz; to demonstrate the successes of the past 20 years; and to learn about real world solutions to the current and future challenges to intelligent traffic.
The 21st Annual World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems took place at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan, 7–11 September. Hosted by ITS America, in partnership with ERTICO and ITS Asia-Pacific, the event was attended by more than 10,000 transportation officials, researchers, students and professionals who gathered to share the latest ITS applications from around the world. The event showcased over 32 technical demonstrations, 275 sessions and 268 exhibitors, whose displays on the expo show floor showed off everything from LED signs to traffic detection, as well as advancements in assisted driving.
Day one excitement for the 2014 ITS World Congress was high. General Motors CEO Mary Barra spoke about innovation and the future of the auto industry in her keynote address at the exhibition’s opening. “If we expect our industry to thrive well into the future we have to provide solutions,” Barra said, and the way to do that, she added, “is to be passionate and fearless advocates for safety technology.” Barra said technologies like vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications and, ultimately, autonomous driving offer so much potential for good and that it is time to “turn potential into reality.”
“Pure autonomous driving, when we get there, wont' seem like such a big deal.”–Bill Ford, Chairman of the Ford Motor Company
While much of the 2014 show focused on automated vehicles, there was also general acknowledgement of the obstacles facing the development of what most believe will be the next generation of ITS. Like any new technology, a critical mass must be achieved for the interconnectivity required to facilitate a V2V and V2I environment. In other words, the driving public has to believe such technology is valuable and necessary, and it is unknown how long it will take to reach that point, nor how much it will cost to get there. Still, optimism for the technology was apparent.
“Pure autonomous driving, when we get there, won’t seem like such a big deal,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman of the Ford Motor Company.
While “Transportation for Tomorrow” was the official theme of ITS World Congress, the unofficial theme appeared to be about safety. Nearly all participants seemed to share the same goals for intelligent traffic systems worldwide: the need to reduce transportation-related fatalities, while at the same time streamlining the process of getting from point A to point B and increasing mobility for all people.
The general public tends to agree. A new America THINKS survey conducted by national infrastructure solutions firm HNTB Corporation determined that decreasing traffic injuries and fatalities should be the US’s biggest surface transportation priority; decreasing congestion followed at a very close second.
Exhibitors this year followed suit, demonstrating products and technologies designed to increase safety. Other universal issues addressed by the products showcased this year included security, privacy, and greener, more efficient transportation.
No doubt the city of Detroit itself was a topic of conversation at this year’s World Congress. Nicknamed ‘Motor City,’ Detroit is recognized as the capital of the American automobile industry. Home to General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, Detroit is also the self-proclaimed home of the first paved road and the first traffic light in America.
The city is often publicized as a place that has always been at the forefront of innovation and industry, but in many ways, downtown Detroit looks like the remains of a ruined empire. High-rise office and apartment buildings now stand vacant; broken windows and graffiti mark some of the more prominent landmarks. The struggles of the American auto manufacturers have clearly taken their toll on this once lavish city, which is currently bankrupt. The grandeur that once populated Detroit is now just a shadow of the past.
Still, there are signs everywhere that Detroit is in the midst of reinventing itself. Small but significant signs of life are returning to areas of the city, and the people of Detroit are clearly invested in re-creating their city as a more enjoyable place to live. Time will tell, but the potential is there, and the people know that moving forward will mean learning to play by new rules.
Wavetronix used the 21st Annual World Congress to demonstrate the power of true high definition radar and to introduce the new Click 650 traffic cabinet interface device to a worldwide market. SmartSensor HD continues to lead the non-intrusive detection market and is deployed in intelligent systems around the globe. SmartSensors Advance and Matrix bring that same radar power to intersections, and they can now communicate directly with controllers via the revolutionary Click 650.
The Click 650 provides up to 64 channels of data and can replace up to 16 four-channel or 32 two-channel rack cards. The Click 650 also eliminates the need to install a separate backplate for power, surge protection and connectivity, making the integration of Wavetronix sensors into the intersection easier and cleaner than ever.
Wavetronix also took the opportunity to investigate the future landscape of ITS and the role Wavetronix will play, and is playing, in achieving the global goals of ITS. Several Wavetronix employees attended sessions and learned from industry insiders about many innovative ITS applications; several sessions not sponsored by Wavetronix discussed the use of Wavetronix products by third parties, including real-life applications of Advance and Matrix to populate various performance metrics.
Although the majority of this year’s World Congress seemed dedicated to the future of autonomous vehicles, it was still clear that accurate, reliable vehicle detection is an important part of ITS. Wavetronix enjoyed its presence at this year’s show and benefited greatly from the opportunity to showcase the broad appeal its technologies have in nearly every aspect of the ITS market.
Likewise, the ITS industry has to look at new rules if they hope to move towards a positive future with safe, efficient transportation options. Jim Barbaresso, the national practice leader for intelligent transportation systems at HNTB Corporation, says accomplishing the goals of ITS means rethinking “business as usual.”
“Surface transportation will change dramatically over the next two decades as disruptive innovations change the way that transportation services are offered,” Barbaresso told World Congress attendees. “Agencies and their partners should be ready to not only adjust to such changes, but to capitalize on them and better serve the traveling and commuting public.”
In any case, better information equals better decision-making. There are many steps to be taken before the future discussed at this year’s World Congress becomes a reality. There are questions that need to be answered, partnerships and collaborations that need to be formed, and, of course, legislation that must be put into place to make ‘transportation for tomorrow’ possible.■
