Using Connected Vehicle Technology to Develop a Secure Integrated Corridor Management System

Research Lead: Mohammad Abdullah Al Faruque

UC Campus(es): UC Irvine

Problem Statement: Freeway congestion costs drivers hundreds of millions of dollars each year in lost time and increased fuel consumption. Onramp metering helps mitigate freeway congestion through controlling the flow rate of entering vehicles, though almost all deployed ramp meters in California either operate on fixed intervals or in response to local traffic conditions without considering upstream/downstream freeway traffic. Park and ride services were also intended to address freeway congestion, but most of the park and ride facilities in California operate well below capacity, even at peak hours, costing their operators money. On the positive side, emerging Connected Vehicle (CV) technology has the potential to reduce congestion by exchanging information between vehicles and road infrastructure on traffic flow and road conditions. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration has proposed the installation of CV communications devices in all vehicles and connected roadside units. This technology could improve the operation of both ramp metering and park-and-ride facilities. However, these systems may not be secure due to the existence of software spoofing systems.

Project Description: This project will develop a secure integrated system for traffic management along a corridor leveraging the services offered through ramp meters, CV technology, and smart park and ride services. The project will develop simulations to assess the applicability and overall system performance of the proposed corridor management system under both normal operating conditions and under simulated GPS spoofing security threats. One outcome of this project will be a set of recommendations on how this type of system could be improved and made more robust in the face of security threats.

Status: In Progress

Budget: $80,000