[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 74 (Monday, April 20, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18032-18036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8985]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Innovative Technology Administration

[Docket No. RITA 2009-0001]


Establishing Strategic Direction for the Intelligent 
Transportation Systems Program

AGENCY: Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Intelligent 
Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) is requesting 
public comments on the proposed direction, goals, and objectives for 
the multi-modal ITS Program over the next five years. Comments will be 
used to shape a multi-year, strategic, research agenda that will result 
in an ITS Program Strategic Plan in October 2009. Respondents to this 
RFI are invited to comment on any of the items; in particular, 
respondents are encouraged

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to address the specific questions that are featured at the end of this 
RFI. This RFI was prepared with the intention of insuring that all 
stakeholders and parties interested in ITS have the opportunity to 
provide input and comment on the next five-year, strategic direction 
for ITS research, technology transfer, and evaluation.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by May 20, 2009. Late-filed comments 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket Number RITA 
2009-0001 by any of the following methods:
    [cir] Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    [cir] Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    [cir] Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE. between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    [cir] Fax: 202-493-2251
    Instructions: Identify docket number, RITA 2009-0001, at the 
beginning of your comments, and send two copies. To receive 
confirmation that DOT received your comments, include a self-addressed 
stamped postcard. Internet users may access all comments received by 
DOT at http://www.regulations.gov. All comments are posted 
electronically without charge or edits, including any personal 
information provided. Please do not send items directly to DOT staff. 
Items that are sent directly to DOT staff and that appear to be docket 
items will be submitted to the above Web site on behalf of the 
submitter.
    Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all 
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit http://DocketInfo.dot.gov.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov or the street 
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the 
dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne M. Sloan, RVT-91, Research and 
Innovative Technology Administration, Volpe National Transportation 
Systems Center, 55 Broadway, Cambridge, MA, 02142, Phone Number: (617) 
494-3282, Fax Number: (617) 494-3260, or E-mail: [email protected]v. 
For legal questions, please contact Mr. Robert Monniere, Attorney 
Advisor, RITA Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-5498, or via e-
mail at [email protected]. Office hours for the RITA are from 
7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access and Filing

    You may submit or retrieve comments online through the Federal 
eRulemaking portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. Electronic 
submission and retrieval help and guidelines are available under the 
help section of the Web site. The Federal eRulemaking portal is 
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Please follow the 
instructions. An electronic copy of this document may also be 
downloaded by accessing the Office of the Federal Register's home page 
at http://www.archives.gov or the Government Printing Office's Web page 
at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara.

Background

    The U.S. Department of Transportation's (the US DOT) Intelligent 
Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO), part of the 
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), is issuing 
this Request for Information (RFI) to elicit comments from the public 
and the transportation community on future activities of the ITS 
Program. Respondents to this RFI are invited to comment on any of the 
items; in particular, respondents are encouraged to address the 
specific questions. This RFI was prepared with the intention of 
insuring that all stakeholders and parties interested in ITS have the 
opportunity to provide input and comment on the next five-year, 
strategic direction for ITS research, technology transfer, and 
evaluation. This input, in combination with research results of current 
initiatives (documented in the report, ITS Research Results: ITS 
Program Plan 2008 available at the following URL: http://www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/JPODOCS//REPTS_TE/14429.htm), will form the 
basis for the next ITS Program Strategic Plan and will provide input to 
the next transportation legislation.
    The previous ITS Program strategic direction was established in 
2004 when the US DOT realigned ITS research into a set of major 
initiatives with a clearly recognized federal role to conduct high-
risk/high-payoff, multi-modal, technology research. This strategy and 
subsequent program was documented in the 2006 Five-Year ITS Program 
Plan (found at http://www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov//JPODOCS/REPTS_TE//14289.htm), which has guided the ITS Program since 2004. Much of this 
research is reaching completion (documented in the 2008 Program Plan 
mentioned above); some of the research results have been particularly 
fruitful in establishing the viability of new, transformational 
opportunities in surface transportation safety and mobility (as well as 
other areas), and will continue to be pursued as part of the 
forthcoming research agenda.
    In moving to establish the next strategic direction, the ITS JPO 
will guide development of the Strategic Plan in cooperation with the US 
DOT's ITS Management Council and ITS Strategic Planning Group (SPG). 
Both groups are comprised of representatives of the surface 
transportation modes within the US DOT that are responsible for 
furthering the application of advanced technologies to the 
transportation system across the Nation.
    Through this RFI and other outreach events, the ITS JPO will engage 
the public and key stakeholders in the process of:
    (a) Confirming the next set of goal areas for the Program;
    (b) Confirming the objectives within each goal area;
    (c) Identifying existing or new transportation research and 
development activities that are being performed by others and determine 
if there are joint funding opportunities that will allow the US DOT to 
make better use of its resources;
    (d) Identifying a research agenda that stimulates the private 
sector market and that fosters collaboration among public, private, and 
academic partners; and,
    (e) Identifying, for consideration, new technologies, trends, and 
research opportunities that are not described in this RFI.

    Note:  This is not a solicitation for proposals. This is 
specifically a request for information that will assist the ITS JPO, 
ITS SPG, and ITS Management Council in establishing the most 
feasible and robust research, technology transfer, evaluation agenda 
for the Nation in the next five years.

Development of the Goals and Objectives for the ITS Program

    The process in use by the ITS Program to develop the goals, 
objectives, and the specific research programs is one that incorporates 
a set of traditional strategic

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planning activities. The flow of these activities is provided in flow 
chart format in the PDF version of this RFI as well as described in 
text format below.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN20AP09.007

    The flow of activities begins with input provided by stakeholders 
and DOT leadership. The input is analyzed to gain an understanding of 
the strategic issues and needs; their associated strengths, weaknesses, 
opportunities, and threats (risks); their value proposition; and their 
alignment with the core values and principles of the ITS Program. This 
analysis leads to an assessment of the advanced technology needs of the 
Nation, which then translates into a vision and mission for the ITS 
Program. From the mission and vision flows the development of a set of 
conceptual strategic initiatives, which are substantiated through 
setting strategic goals and objectives; identifying performance 
measures for success; and ultimately developing a more concrete 
research program with action plans.
    The intent of this RFI is to engage stakeholders in this process. 
The starting point for this process is the recognition of the critical 
role of advanced technologies in achieving the US DOT goals in the 
areas of Safety, Mobility, and Environmental Stewardship. To these 
goals, the ITS Program adds a fourth goal area--Policy--with the 
acknowledgement that successful ITS deployment is founded on strategic 
and effective policies.
    In addition to these goal areas, the following two points form a 
critical, foundational basis for continuing the ITS Program with a new 
five-year strategy:
    (1) To identify areas of greatest opportunity, the ITS Program has 
formed an initial assessment of the state of technology and 
transportation through a set of listening sessions conducted over the 
past year at public meetings and forums. Through these sessions and 
subsequent discussions, observations, and analysis, a theme for the 
next generation of the ITS Program has emerged--CONNECTIVITY. This 
theme recognizes that current and future wireless technology, and the 
connectivity that it enables, has the potential to transform the 
transportation industry with new capabilities and services.
    (2) RESEARCH is needed to achieve the full potential of a connected 
transportation environment. It is the intent of the ITS Program to 
focus on a few, high-value research initiatives that support achieving 
transformational benefits in safety, mobility and system performance, 
and environmental stewardship through establishing connectivity among 
vehicles, devices introduced to the vehicle, and the infrastructure. 
Research will be conducted and policy set in a manner that most 
effectively serves the public good while leveraging market forces.
    The ITS Program seeks input in order to identify the highest value 
areas of federal research that have the greatest potential to 
capitalize on the transformational power of connectivity and that have 
the greatest potential to deployment. The following text proposes a set 
of focused, strategic initiatives with associated outcomes, goals, and 
objectives. As funding is never adequate to meet all needs, the goals 
and objectives that follow intentionally focus attention in a few, 
high-value, critical areas.

Safety Strategic Initiative (one goal)

    Outcome Sought--Significant reduction in crashes, injuries, 
fatalities, and associated economic costs.

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    Goal: Transformative safety through vehicle and infrastructure 
connectivity:
     Objective--Enable active safety applications (i.e., 
applications designed to assist vehicle operators in avoiding imminent 
crashes, and which require low latency communications).
     Objective--Improve safety by providing in-vehicle crash 
avoidance warnings, which do not require low latency communications.
     Objective--Perform the necessary research and testing to 
enable potential safety regulations.
     Objective--Provide a foundation for technologies to enable 
partial or full vehicle control.
     Objective--Enable vehicle-based applications such that 
they achieve program objectives without negatively impacting driver 
focus.
     Objective--Harmonize standards and architecture 
internationally around the vehicle platform.

Mobility Strategic Initiative (three goals)

    Outcome Sought--Significant improvements in mobility that result in 
more sustainable and livable communities.
    Goal (1): Capture complete, real-time information on all roads and 
all modes to support transformational system performance:
     Objective--Capture real-time mobility data from vehicles.
     Objective--Capture real-time system cost information 
across modes (parking, transit, pricing, tolling, etc.).
     Objective--Integrate real-time mobility data from all 
sources for use in transportation management and performance 
improvement.
    Goal (2): Achieve transformational transportation management and 
system performance through applications of vehicle and infrastructure 
connectivity:
     Objective--Create applications and strategies for the use 
of real-time mobility and cost data from all sources for use by 
transportation managers.
     Objective--Create applications and strategies for the use 
of real-time mobility and cost data to ensure safe and secure freight 
movement.
     Objective--Create information from real-time mobility and 
cost data from all sources for use in traveler information.
    Goal (3): Realize ``next generation'' electronic payment systems 
that support transformational system performance:
     Objective--Create interoperability of electronic payment 
systems across modes (parking, transit, pricing, tolls, etc.).
     Objective--Enable technology solutions in support of 
national policy for transportation financing.

Environment Strategic Initiative (one goal)

    Outcome Sought--Reduced transportation impact on the environment 
and improved livability.
    Goal: Enable environmental management through vehicle and 
infrastructure connectivity:
     Objective--Capture real-time environmental data from 
vehicles.
     Objective--Integrate real-time environmental data from all 
sources for use in transportation management and performance 
improvement.
     Objective--Create applications that use real-time data on 
environmental impact for use by transportation managers.
     Objective--Create information from real-time data on 
environmental impact for use in traveler information.

Policy Foundation for Deployment Strategic Initiative (One Goal)

    Outcome Sought--New institutional policy and potential regulatory 
requirements and a foundation for effective deployment of technologies.
    Goal (1): Establish an institutional foundation for deployment of 
safety, mobility, and environmental applications based on vehicle and 
infrastructure connectivity:
     Objective--Identify and research solutions to address 
institutional foundations, governance, privacy issues, potential 
regulations, and policies, both nationally and internationally, to 
implement transportation technologies.
     Objective--Address social equity in all goal areas to 
ensure that all users benefit from transportation solutions.
    Within each goal area, the intent is to develop a few, focused, 
high value, bold programs which:
     Further US DOT goals, ITS Program mission, vision, 
strategic initiatives, and goals areas.
     Have the potential for a significant impact at a national 
scale.
     Generally address research or deployment issues that 
transcend a single mode or a single strategic initiative.
     Address a clear research question that would not otherwise 
be filled due to the fact that:
      It is too big or too risky for any one entity alone, and
      The market has too many players and no clear ownership.
     Are expected to offer a positive, measurable return on 
investment.
     Offer a justifiable or clear Federal role.
     Appear to be implementable, technically feasible, and have 
a clear champion, with supportive partners.
     Have the potential to be a catalyst for the development of 
a sustainable marketplace through technology transfer.
    With consensus on these goals, the ITS JPO will establish teams to 
develop a set of proposed multi-modal research programs. Preliminary 
research programs will address:
     A clear business case, including alignment with ITS goals;
     A clear description of the value to the Nation;
     A plan for technology transfer;
     A plan for outreach;
     A plan for evaluation;
     A plan to research and address critical policy and 
institutional issues; and
     A plan to address standards and architecture needs.

Timeline

    A set of multi-modal teams within US DOT will be convened at the 
beginning of May 2009 to develop the program proposals described above. 
All RFI input will be delivered to these teams. The ITS JPO expects to 
hold a workshop at the June 2009 ITS America Annual Meeting to solicit 
further input on the strategic plan and preliminary research programs. 
The ITS JPO use the input from this RFI to advise the DOT leadership on 
the ITS Program strategic research agenda. In addition to shaping this 
agenda, it is desired that the RFI input provide the ITS JPO with 
insight on:
     Next generation technologies for research and development.
     New opportunities for technology transfer.
     Identification of key metrics for program evaluation.
     Development of the next transportation legislation.

RFI Objective and Response Requirements

    Respondents are asked to comment on all elements of this RFI and, 
specifically, to address the questions below.
    (1) RFI respondents are asked to comment on the proposed content of 
this RFI:
    a. Do the goal areas and objectives establish the foundation for an 
appropriate and feasible multi-year strategic research agenda for the 
ITS Program to pursue over the next five years?
    b. What strategic issues, goal, and/or objectives do you view as 
vital for establishing a research agenda that provides meaningful and 
transformational changes for the Nation?
    c. Are there research or technology development opportunities 
within these

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goal areas that are not described within this RFI? If yes, please 
describe them, the value of the research, and the reason for federal 
government involvement as opposed to private sector or academia.
    d. In your opinion, if the objectives of the goal areas are met, 
will technology transfer within these goal areas create dynamic and 
sustainable markets? If yes, please identify the opportunities and 
risks.
    e. Are there opportunities to partner that are currently not being 
pursued by the ITS Program? If yes, please describe the opportunity and 
how risk/reward would be shared. What barriers must be overcome in 
order for the research program to be deployed in the future?
    f. Given limitations on funding, which research goals and 
objectives are the most important to pursue? Please explain your basis.
    g. What are any remaining concerns?
    (2) Additional Information:
    Respondents are also encouraged to provide any additional 
information that describe alternative concepts, technologies, or 
research areas that would benefit the establishment of the next multi-
year strategic agenda for the ITS Program. In particular, the ITS JPO 
is interested in descriptions of future technologies and systems that 
will build from and continue to provide transformational change to the 
transportation system, but that in current form, are still highly 
exploratory in nature.
    Please note that this is NOT a solicitation for proposals, quotes, 
or bids. Unsolicited proposals will not be addressed by DOT staff who 
review the submissions to this RFI. Those parties who are interested in 
such matters are encouraged to consult ``A Guide to Federal Highway 
Administration Policies and Procedures for Submitting Unsolicited 
Proposals'', available at the following URL: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/AAA/gtup.htm. Also, please do not include any proprietary information 
in your response.
    Please also note that the docket is open to the public to view the 
responses and any personally identifiable information will be noted. We 
are happy to accept responses with names associated with them, as well 
as those submitted anonymously.
    Finally, the ITS JPO acknowledges the short duration for providing 
responses to this RFI and requests responses within 30 days of the 
issuing of this RFI.

    Issued in Washington, DC on April 10, 2009.
Shelley J. Row,
Program Director, ITS Joint Program Office, Research and Innovative 
Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. E9-8985 Filed 4-17-09; 8:45 am]
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