Overview
Modern information and communication technologies (ICT) are gaining more and more momentum within the transport sector. Virtual enterprise structures, leveraging cloud technologies, together with modern communication means constitute the foundation for a sustainable transformation of Intelligent Transportations Systems (ITS). This transformation is going to impact a future oriented road operator in several dimensions.
Next to novel requirements, caused by the rapidly developing real-time society, road operators acting on state duty are going to find themselves becoming part of an interacting transport society eco-system. New expectations, new service opportunities, altered operations, efficiency gains and new responsibilities have to be analysed and understood. Connected road vehicles, for example, are going to assess road weather data continuously. Sharing such data with a connected road operator will allow for a different mode of operation. By sensing an emerging critical development, at a certain road segment, various counter measures can be taken in advance, rather than reacting to consequences in an aftermath. Information to road vehicles can be given specific to certain vehicles or vehicles types when approaching an arbitrary location. Internal measures can get tailored to its highest effects.
The proposed R&D CloudKonkret studies will describe the state of art in modern cloud and ICT technologies, operations, and services capabilities, in context of a modern road operator stepping forward. Novel expectations of the emerging real-time society and from connected transport industries and individuals are going to alter roles and responsibilities of a road operator. The CloudKonkret studies will provide recommendation on how to respond to such new requirements, what types on new services will be requested, what operational efficiency gains can be deducted and what deployment steps could be considered. Technical and economic implications will be described as well as expected change in roles and responsibilities.
The CloudKonkret studies will be complemented by a reference prototype, validating new real-time operations capabilities. The technical and deployment recommendations will consider IT and cloud operations structures such as being used by leading car IT organizations. Cloud assisted security measures, linking connected vehicles platforms into end-to-end service chains, will be considered. CloudKonkret will leverage insights gained in past and ongoing R&D projects such as Eco-AT, CAMINO and CONVERGE. Requirements associated with cross-national operations, such as being discussed in the NordicWay EU corridor project, can be considered.