ITS Standards
The U.S. DOT established the ITS Standards Program in 1996 to encourage the widespread use of ITS technologies in our Nation's surface transportation systems. ITS standards exist within technologies deployed under the framework of the National ITS Reference Architecture, also known as "ARC-IT" and define how system components interconnect and interact. Because ITS standards are based on open, non-proprietary technology, their use can facilitate the deployment of interoperable ITS systems and make it easier for state and local ITS deployers to develop and deploy regionally integrated transportation systems.
The ITS Standards Program is teaming with standards development organizations (SDOs) and industry groups to facilitate the development and testing of consensus-based standards, protocols, and specifications to enable the exchange and interpretation of data; while working with state and local highway and transit agencies on standards-based ITS implementation strategies.
INTEROPERABILITY
The ability of different ITS devices and components to exchange and interpret data directly through a common communications interface, and to use the exchanged data to operate together effectively, is called interoperability.
Interoperability is key to achieving the full potential of ITS. Seamless data exchange would allow an emergency services vehicle to notify a traffic management center to trigger a change in the timing of the traffic signals on the path to a hospital, in order to assist the responding ambulance. A standards-based approach to integration helps to facilitate the exchange of transportation data as well as more easily accommodate future equipment replacements, systems upgrades, and system expansions.
What are Standards?
Standards define an architecture of interrelated systems that work together to deliver transportation services. An ITS architecture defines how systems functionally operate and the interconnection of information exchanges that must take place between these systems to accomplish transportation services. An architecture is functionally oriented and not technology-specific which allows the architecture to remain effective over time. It defines "what must be done," not "how it will be done."
Most standards are voluntary, consensus-based, and open:
- Voluntary, meaning their use is not mandated by law
- Consensus-based, meaning that a published standard has attained general agreement through cooperation and compromise in a process that is inclusive of all interested parties
- Open, meaning that they are not proprietary and are available for anyone to use
The use of standards encourages industry growth by minimizing development costs, increasing compatibility and interoperability, and increasing buyer and seller confidence in products. It is important to note that ITS standards are not design standards: They do not specify specific products or designs to use. Instead, the use of standards gives transportation agencies confidence that components from different manufacturers will work together, without removing the incentive for designers and manufacturers to compete to provide products that are more efficient or offer more features.
Application of Standards
Standards can be found on each SDO's website in their standards database:
- AASHTO Standards: American Assocation of State Highway and Transportation Officials
- ANSI Standards: American National Standards Institute
- APTA Standards: American Public Transportation Association
- ASTM Standards: Advancing Standards Transforming Markets — ASTM International
- IEEE Transportation Standards: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards Association
- IETF Standards: Internet Engineering Task Force
- ISO Standards: International Organization for Standardization
- ITE Standards: Institute of Transportation Engineers
- NEMA Standards: National Electrical Manufacturers Association
- NTCIP Standards: National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol
- OMG Standards: Object Management Group
- SAE Standards: SAE International
Standards Development Activities
The ITS JPO undertakes a range of activities to support standards development and use:
- Developing standards — through cooperative agreements with SDOs and organizations — for both existing ITS technologies and ITS Standards Focus Areas. The program is also active in international efforts to harmonize ITS standards and architecture to increase commonality of connected vehicle technologies across multiple regions.
- Coordinate with SDOs to promote cooperation and achieve consensus-based standards, increasing interoperability and adoption by deployers. Provide input when needed to inform the appropriate working groups in of improvements, modifications, or changes needed in standards related to the demonstration, deployment, and testing of the standards.
- Testing standards in actual transportation settings (through field testing by state and local transportation agencies).
- Providing technical assistance to state and local ITS deployers (through ITS Specialists at FHWA Resource Centers and through the ITS Field Support Team.
- Delivering ITS standards training and workshops through the ITS Professional Capacity Building Program and industry partners.
- Developing experience-based deployment guidance and tools such as lessons learned.
- To request member/observer status in standard working groups (WG) please follow the links above and query the WG POC specifically.