TXDOT RESEARCH PROGRAM

Transcription

1 TXDOT RESEARCH PROGRAM Texas Transportation Commission

2 What do we expect for the future? Texas population could double to approximately 50 million by Uneven distribution of growth, primarily in eastern half of Texas. Water availability challenges. Continued energy sector development: Oil, liquefied and compressed natural gas, wind, solar. Panama Canal enabling larger deep draft ships. Gasification of locomotive, Class 8 truck and maritime fleets. Improved fuel efficiency in cars; more alternative fuel solutions; increased intelligent sensor systems. Intelligent Transportation Systems, connected vehicles. 2

3 Emerging traffic management strategy connected vehicles A new approach to increasing the safety and mobility of our day-to-day travel. Connected vehicle systems will provide the capability to detect threats and hazards on the roadway and communicate this to the driver through alerts and warnings. 3

4 Emerging traffic management strategy connected vehicles Safety Collision Warnings Red Light Assist Mobility Transit Signal Priority Transit Connectivity Air Quality Eco-driving Truck Platooning In Vehicle Signing: Work Zones/Crashes /Amber Alerts Data: Probe vehicles for traffic and weather 4

5 Texas Technology Task Force The Task Force Members The Opportunities Broader Observations SWRI CyrusOne, Inc. TXP, Inc. Nokia Cisco NCTCOG CTRMA UT CTR Connected vehicles Electric systems Autonomous vehicles Cloud computing and crowdsourcing Growing public adoption of technologies. National standards are maturing. A Texas-based organization to foster technology maturation and adoption is needed. Multi-pronged approach. Bringing together stakeholders to research and inform future transportation. 5

6 Transportation system future research Multi-modal Multi-discipline System of systems Safety of our citizens and their well-being remain paramount Modeling of future economic generators, agriculture and population; and the solutions to support them Address changing work and shopping culture Address changing costs of resources Address need to provide basic food, utilities and water supplies 6

7 What might the future hold? 7

8 What might the future hold? Autonomous or semi-autonomous/connected cars Autonomous or semi-autonomous trucks Solar-paneled roads: Associated Press, July 15, 2014: Scott and Julie Brusaw demonstrate this prototype solar panel parking area in Sandpoint, Idaho

9 What might the future hold? Freight Shuttle System v=qldojostqqm High-speed Rail v=iaxfsjsakuc Hyperloop 9

10 What might the future hold? Spaceport and SpaceX ch?v=pha8xatvuxa Unmanned Aerial Systems Jet-packs and hover-cars 10

11 Research approach Near-term Mid-term Long-term Manage or provide input across several initiatives Research and Technology Implementation Office projects Synchronization with interagency research Focus on meat and potatoes research to address immediate challenges. Support the Districts, Divisions and Offices. Next years Test bed initiative New solutions/technology with potential for further development New ideas requiring more research Next 100 years. What will transportation look like, and mean, in 2117? Informs the 2040 plan and subsequent equivalents Think tank multi-discipline, multimodal and out-of-the-box effort Identify potential, to initiate shaping efforts now Multi-pronged approach. Bringing together stakeholders to research and inform future transportation. 11

12 Near-term research Re-examine current projects, begin to align with near, mid, long categorization. Renew involvement of Research Committees, get the Districts, Divisions and Offices back into driving the immediate impact research. Focus current RTI funds primarily in this area. Short-term research with clear deliverables that meet immediate needs. Streamline the Committee oversight requirements, lessen the load on project directors and advisors. 12

13 Mid-term research Align any current projects that are better suited to this category. Identify responsible body for management and policies. Establish a test bed capability and initiate project experiments and tests, coordinated with the universities: Solar panel roadways, autonomous cars, etc. Looking for research in new areas, seeking potential for disruptive technology or solutions. Deliverables must identify the path forward, at a minimum. Allows for some longer term efforts, but must show promise for significant useful impact/return on investment. An acceptable answer early on in the research can be that the solution or approach isn t feasible. 13

14 Long-term research Identify responsible body for management and policies. Involvement in futurist and transportation technology forums/associations. Establish a Think Tank capability. Intent is a community of expert stakeholders sharing and developing futurist ideas. Open-ended, continuous process. Multi-discipline; must have a broad inclusive perspective in areas such as engineering, sciences, economics, industry, population, natural resources, agriculture, politics, environmental and other social sciences. Must understand the meaning and demand for transportation capabilities in a system of systems. Concept goes well-beyond multi-modal. Open to new participants as stakeholders or new technology areas are identified. Begins to shape the future through input to 2040 and subsequent plans, as well as strategic communications and identifying focus areas for mid-term efforts. 14