are supported by the European Union under the 6th Framework and offer an insight into the challenges of
setting up a dependable wireless network and developing the next
generation sensors respectively. Delegates were offered the chance to
see a demonstration of the latest in in-vehicle automatic roadsign
recognition and roadway ice/water detection, developed as part of the
TRACKSS project. This is in addition to a collaborative camera and
radar system also designed under the TRACKSS project which aims to
offer an alternative to the current inductive loop technology used for
measurements on motorways.
While developments in new automotive sensors and communications
technology in small scale systems demonstrate the kinds of advances
that are possible, it is important to test these kinds of systems in the real
world. This is where the ASTRA project comes in. ASTRA (Application
of Smartdust in Transport) ran trials using small, low cost devices (“Smartdust”) mounted in static locations (eg bus stops) and mobile
locations (buses) in Newcastle as part of a Department for Transport
funded research program. These Smartdust devices were used to test
the efficiency of transmitting data around a “real-world” network by
monitoring the data packets that arrived at the interface node attached
to the datalogging system. The intention was to understand the efficacy
of propagating data from one node to the next by attempting to collate
it in a central location. The trials showed that this kind of “multi-hop”
data transmission required careful network planning, with the data
from some sensors impeded by street furniture such as bus shelters. To
build on this project and to answer the current environmental imperative,
UNEW have developed a low cost environmental condition
monitoring sensor to log CO, NO2, and noise pollution, amongst other
parameters. This network will be deployed as part of a 60 sensor study
within Newcastle, to be followed by a further study consisting of 200
sensors. It is hoped that this kind of pervasive data gathering network
will provide detailed, localised environmental |
information leading to
the ability to develop effective traffic management policies to reduce
high levels of localised pollution.
The final piece in the jigsaw of future technology is
the user. Technical advances could be wasted if the system is not userfriendly,
particularly if final take-up is reliant on end-user satisfaction.
To this end, UNEW demonstrated their Virtual Reality suite and
discussed how they were evaluating the latest in combined digital
technology to allow users to plan and complete journeys using public
transport. By blending real-time scheduling and ticketing information
with local images on a handheld PDA based platform the user is
painlessly guided through a typical journey. It was explained that this
suite was used to understand user expectations from these kinds of
technology, with the aim of optimising the type and timing of the
information to assist in city navigation. The workshop ended with a
summary of the ASK-IT project objectives. Again this is a user focused
project, supported by the EU. This project looks at developing wireless
integrated solutions to meet the needs of mobility impaired users.
Using handheld PDA technology, the intention is to understand the requirements of users with special needs, for example the need to plan
routes with consideration for access arrangements at railway stations
and bus stops.
The workshop as a whole gave delegates a rare opportunity to see the
technology development activities currently underway in a number of
disciplines to bring together the wirelessly connected “ubiquitous
computing” environment of the future.
Alan Barlow is a Senior Software Engineer for Conekt. Having worked
for a number of years developing test equipment for a range of automotive
products, he is now using his expertise to support Conekt’s
involvement in the EMMA project. Conekt is using its automotive
expertise combined with software, hardware and FPGA design skills to
produce an in-vehicle demonstration of the EMMA system. For more
information on this please go to www.conekt.net or email
alan.barlow@trw.com.
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