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Systems can be as down-to-earth as one that remotely
monitors salt spreaders on snow removal equipment, and
as high-flying as one that provides pilots with
synthetic vision.
Here’s an example of the value added by CNCIS
research expertise in previous projects: If a
locomotive’s fuel pump clogs, the train stops, freight
doesn’t reach its destination on time, the track is
blocked, and other trains are frozen. Money is lost.
CNCIS has helped create and test systems that monitor
the fuel pump with remote sensors, send the information
via wireless technology, compare the data to data from a
correctly functioning fuel pump, and predict pump
failure. In essence, the locomotive calls in sick before
it blocks the track.
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The projects that CNCIS undertakes are broad, and take into account environmental,
economic, and social constraints in a systems engineering process applicable
to all transportation sectors. Systems can be large-scale or small. Prototype
systems can be assembled and studied by employing:
 | Precision navigation equipment that embeds
global positioning system (GPS) and low-cost,
inertial-navigation sensor technology, as well as
geographic mapping; |
| Ultra-high bandwidth, cellular and satellite
wireless technology for discrete or continuous data
transmission; |
| Robust, conventional and modern, statistical
data-mining processes. |
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As an applied research center newly affiliated with PTI,
CNCIS will fill an important niche: research and
development of new methods to collect, process, and
disseminate data by optimally integrating sensor devices
into the transportation arena. These methods will
improve safety, security, and operational
cost-effectiveness.
Examples follow of efforts planned by CNCIS in each
of its focus technologies—navigation, communication, and
information systems.
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| The use of GPS sensors in navigation systems is becoming
widespread. With the use of GPS technology, one can
obtain position, velocity, and time information.
However, the GPS sensor as a stand-alone navigation
device may not meet accuracy, integrity, or availability
requirements of a system’s users. In other words, the
GPS information may not be available or may be jammed.
Current augmentation of GPS includes WAAS,
differential-GPS, and
precision-carrier-phase-tracking-GPS technology, but
CNCIS and PTI will focus on the low-cost augmentation of
GPS with MEMs technology. A test of a prototype GPS-MEMs
navigation system is planned for a transit bus.
Communication systems employ wired media, such as
copper or fiber optic cable, and wireless media, such as
cell, satellite, wireless internet 802.11, microwave,
and private radio frequencies, to transfer information
thousands of miles. CNCIS’s current research has focused
on the wireless internet medium as a means to remotely
monitor and control electronic sensors and systems in
transportation equipment, such as the locomotive. Future
research for transportation applications will involve
next-generation, high-bandwidth cellular communication
or ultra-wideband, high-data-rate technology as ways to
transmit and receive video, audio, and two-way-text
messages. These fast, high-bandwidth, wireless data-link
communications networks may provide the means for moving
information to and from vehicles, control centers,
passenger stations, maintenance facilities, and
customers. Working relationships or partnerships between
CNCIS and communications providers are desired for
long-term, applied systems integration, test and
evaluation. |
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Information systems
provide for storage, retrieval, and manipulation of
data. CNCIS’s application of information technology will
help transportation planners and decision makers better
“mine” their data for clearer statistical information,
and can lead to artificial intelligence capabilities
within data. CNCIS can create, for example, a geographic
information system (GIS) by using data obtained from the
navigation system, via the communication system, on
board a transit bus. Added information about passengers
in transit, locations of their destinations, frequency
of travel, and length of stay can all be spatially
displayed in the GIS. |
  
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