Update on Cloud-Computing for Next-Gen Traffic Management Applications

The cloud-computing model continues to reshape business processes and reconfigure the technology architectures that run our cities. Cloud-computing is not only a new computing paradigm that is taking root, but the technologies are also enabling new collaborative and integrated solutions in the transportation industry by provisioning the fusion of existing (stove-piped) traffic management systems. By adding a new “top layer” to the operations stack, previously disparate transportation systems can be integrated for optimization of existing functions, as well as fused for new-found functionality, previously unattainable in “siloed” architectures. Over the past several years, Cloud computing has progressively made its way into mainstream ITS. In July, 2011, Terranautix looked at the progress of cloud-computing platforms within the ITS arena. Since then, the industry has made steady progress, increasing utilization of cloud-based technologies, as well as expanding services residing on cloud-based technologies. We now take a look at a couple of the latest innovations related to next-gen traffic management applications based on cloud-computing technologies. Instant Mobility Project
In April, 2011, A UK consortium kicked-off the “Instant Mobility” project, aimed at “developing and exploring a concept for transforming the mobility of persons and goods in the future through the application of advanced Internet Technologies”. The project is examining three development scenarios, including “Transport Infrastructure as a Service”. This scenario will demonstrate “dynamic traffic management and integrated urban space on how to use Future Internet technologies such as cloud data storage, cloud computing virtualization or services‐in‐the‐cloud.” More specifically, “it is aimed at the specification of functional and non‐functional requirements of the different services envisioned for urban traffic management systems, in order to take advantage of the core platform the Future Internet enables.”. You can read more on this next-gen ITS research project here. From Cloud Computing for Agent-Based Urban Transportation Systems

Cloud-Connected Vehicles
The Ford Motor Company (among other automakers) recently announced plans to deploy a cloud-based architecture for connecting to Ford vehicles. Ford is partnering with Microsoft to develop the cloud-based platform, which will provide a wide array of services to the vehicle, including traveler information, safety services and new infotainment services. Toyota has also recently announced a partnership with Microsoft to implement a new cloud-computing architecture based on MIcrosoft’s Azure Cloud-computing platform. Back in 2010, Chevy announced a partnership with Google to utilize Google’s Android platform and a cloud-computing architecture to develop a new cloud-based platform. Crowdsourced App Development
Cloud-computing platforms have also continued to provide the foundation for third-party application development through the use of open API’s. The Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) has teamed up with Microsoft and used their Azure platform to create a unified portal that can be accessed by the public called MyTransport.Sg. In this way, LTA is hoping that app developers will develop mobile apps specifically for a mobile services. At this year’s CES conference, GM announced that “it is selecting developers to be given access to an OnStar API for the creation of vehicle-specific and vehicle-safe apps for future OnStar-equipped vehicles.” RelayRides, the peer-to-peer car-sharing service, was the first official partner to announce development of an app from the OnStar API.

References and Resources
Cloud technologies for traffic monitoring and control
Transport Infrastructure As a Service
Cloud Computing for Agent-Based Urban Transportation Systems
Update on Cloud-Computing and Intelligent Transportation Systems
Cloud Computing – Helping Transport for London Manage Travel Information for Mobile App Developers
Cloud Computing in Transportation: Increasing Efficiency by Connecting Devices to the Cloud
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority Turns to the Clouds
Cloud Computing Based Architecture for Advanced Traffic Information Dissemination
Cities in the Cloud
Real Time Services for Future Cloud Computing Enabled Vehicle Networks

Update on Cloud-computing and Intelligent Transportation Systems

I originally offered up initial thoughts on “Cloud-Computing and ITS” as part of an article I had prepared back in 2008.  Since then, “the cloud” has made some notable in-roads in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).  As a result, I thought it would be beneficial to review some of the progress made, and industry buy-in that has occurred since the original analysis.

To re-cap, the cloud computing model essentially outsources IT infrastructure, and in some cases ITS applications (Software as a Service, or SAAS), to a third-partys (external to an operating agencies domain).  End-users simply connect to data, information and/or applications, which originally resided on local servers and managed by local applications, via a web interface.

The cloud-computing model significantly reduces upfront capital costs, as well as recurring operations and maintenance costs associated with IT infrastructure, and greatly expedites an agency’s ability to implement new applications and services.  This also allows transportation agencies to focus on transportation, and minimize resources required to operate and manage IT infrastructure, an extremely attractive option in tight economic conditions (such as those we have experienced since 2008).  Another huge advantage to the cloud computing platform is the ability to modify computing resources in real-time.  Cloud computing implements an elastic infrastructure ideal for real-time scaling, providing network and computing capacity on the fly, or enabling “capacity on demand”, also at greatly reduced cost.

Cloud-based applications allow for centralized applications, that can be managed (updated and distributed), from a central location, within a highly resilient and redundant infrastructure. Top tier cloud platforms have implemented multiple layers of redundancy and security, thus providing a more reliable platform than those typically constructed, operated and maintained at the public agency level.  In addition, applications in the cloud can be updated more smoothly and more frequently without having the need to redistribute to each client, or cause disruption to individual customers. Finally, cloud computing is establishing a technology framework that enables the removal of many silos and motes that exist between transportation systems, applications, agencies and and the end-users (travelers).

Although high-end commercial cloud services, such as Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) and Microsoft’s Windows Azure are extremely robust, and in most cases nearly impossible to crash, the vulnerabilities on the local side (end user) remain [Note: Amazon’s EC2 did experience a significant outage on 4/21/2011] .  Loss of internet connection at the user level will preclude access to the data, information, application or supporting infrastructure.  In some cases, the use of a cloud framework lessons the accessibility to data.  Data and information residing in the cloud may be subject to privacy and security concerns, should the cloud provider be vulnerable to outside attacks.

Several transit vendors, most notably those providing CAD/AVL and traveler information services have already begun utilizing the cloud.  Products such as TeloTrack provide real-time, web-based CAD/AVL for transit systems.  Data is directly aggregated by the vendor through a central (cloud-based) application, and accessed by the operating agency via the web.  Cloud computing services have shown to be ideal for transportation systems that are variable in nature, most notably traveler information systems.  During special events, weather events or emergency situations, the platform allows for real-time scaling to deal with user demand spikes.  In some cases there is a public-facing web interface as well, also subject to usage spikes.  The cloud is probably the most ideal vehicle for assisting in the mitigation of system silos surrounding data and information resources.  The cloud can quickly and efficiently implement a centralized data warehouse, free of technological and information-architecture constraints typically encountered during the fusion of data and information from multiple transportation agencies. The cloud framework is an ideal framework for managing data and information exchanges for connected vehicles, however, potential latencies and reliability of network connectivity reduce the overall functionality of this model with regards to connected vehicles.  The framework will be ideal for data collection, aggregation and warehousing, as well as provide a resource for monetization and third-party application development.

Further reading:

Six Questions Every Executive in Infrastructure & Transportation Services Should Ask About Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing for Agent-Based Urban Transportation Systems