Applications for the Environment: Real-Time
Information Synthesis (AERIS) Program

AERIS Operational Scenarios and Applications

The AERIS Research Program investigated five Operational Scenarios or bundles of connected vehicle applications. Each Operational Scenario encompassed a set of applications which individually achieved environmental benefits. However, by strategically bundling the applications, the AERIS Program saw that the Operational Scenarios could achieve additional environment benefits above those of the individual applications. The AERIS Operational Scenarios include:

Eco-Signal Operations: Uses connected vehicle technologies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions at signalized intersections. Applications included in this Operational Scenario include: Eco-Approach and Departure at Signalized Intersections, Eco-Traffic Signal Timing, Eco-Traffic Signal Priority, Connected Eco-Driving, and Wireless Inductive/Resonance Charging.

• Eco-Signal Operations Concept of Operations (ConOps) Report
• Eco-Signal Operations ConOps Presentation

Eco-Lanes: Dedicated freeway lanes – similar to managed lanes – optimized for the environment that encourage use from vehicles operating in eco-friendly ways. Drivers would be able to opt-in to these dedicated eco-lanes to take advantage of eco-friendly applications such as Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (Eco-CACC), Eco-Speed Harmonization, Connected Eco-Driving, and Wireless Inductive/Resonance Charging applications.

• Eco-Lanes Concept of Operations (ConOps)
• Eco-Lanes ConOps Presentation

Low Emissions Zones: Geographically defined areas that seek to incentivize “green transportation choices” or restrict high-polluting vehicles from entering the zone. Low Emissions Zones in a connected vehicle environment would be similar to existing low emissions zones; however they would leverage connected vehicle technologies allowing the systems to be more responsive to real-time traffic and environmental conditions.

• Low Emissions Zones Concept of Operations (ConOps)
• Low Emissions Zones ConOps Presentation

Eco-Traveler Information: Enables development of new, advanced “green” traveler information applications through integrated, multisource, multimodal data. The objective of traveler information is to provide the traveling public with information regarding available modes, optimal routes, and departure times in real-time either pre-trip or en-route. Research has shown that successful traveler information services can impact fuel consumption and vehicular emissions in various forms.

Eco-Integrated Corridor Management (Eco-ICM): Considers treating travel corridors as an integrated asset with a focus on decreasing fuel consumption and emissions. The Eco-ICM Operational Scenario seeks to build on the successes of previous ICM initiatives by considering how connected vehicle and other future technologies may support the integrated operation of a major travel corridor to reduce transportation-related emissions.