U.S Department of Transportation Releases Vehicle to Pedestrian Technical Scan Summary

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has released a summary of the vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) technologies that are available to the public.  The database is located here for download.

The objective of the technical scan was to review available literature and scan existing technology to identify pedestrian collision warning applications and assess their suitability to be adopted under the Intelligent Transportation System Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) Connected Vehicle Program. The scan and subsequent database outlines the current V2P technological landscape.

The scan searched existing databases, peer reviewed journals, and the Internet to identify potential V2P technologies (i.e., communications approaches, devices, applications, and others) in the United States and abroad. In addition, industry and research professionals were contacted to more fully understand developing V2P technologies. Technologies were not limited to passenger vehicles; the scan also included technologies for different vehicle types (personal vehicles, commercial vehicles/trucks, transit, public transportation vehicles including buses, light rail vehicles, etc.).

The technologies are summarized in the V2P Technology Database. This database was developed from August 2014 to October 2015 and is continually updated as new technologies become available. The most recent update to the database was completed in May 2015.

In total, 86 V2P technologies have been identified. While a number of the technologies are camera-based (17), others are likely to gain traction as the broader technological landscape evolves—making more advanced devices more easily accessible and less expensive.

The majority of the V2P safety technologies identified incorporate some form of visual notification method. Although this form of notification/warning may be effective, it may take visual attention away from the roadway (for both pedestrians and motorists) at a time when it is especially critical.

Each of the existing and developing technologies identified are described and classified based on various characteristics such as:

• Detection method (e.g., cameras, eight sensors)
• Crash type addressed with technology
• Users alerted (e.g., pedestrian or bicyclist)
• Alert/notification type (e.g., mobile phone alert)
• Cost
• Roadway characteristics where system may be used
• Environmental characteristics specifically addressed by the technology
• Interventions made by the technology.

The V2P Technology Database is presented in an Excel spreadsheet format. The first tab, “Summary Information,” contains summary data of each of the technologies discovered through the scan. Each of the subsequent 86 tabs includes detailed and linked information about each technology.

The V2P Technology Database is continually being updated. If you know of a new technology that should be included in this list, please contact Karen Timpone at Karen.Timpone@dot.gov.