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NAHSC Case Study GYRITS Priority Corridor

Project #: 290027
Start Date: 08/15/1996
End Date: 01/28/1998
Status: Completed
ABSTRACT:

In cooperation with the National Automated Highway System Consortium (NAHSC), case studies are being conducted on existing transportation corridors to determine the feasibility of AHS. Initial activities by the NAHSC have focused on urbanized areas. However, a need exists to investigate the applicability of advanced transportation technology and AHS in rural settings. AHS applications have primarily focused on problems associated with urban traffic congestion; secondary considerations have related to safety, air quality and energy conservation. These areas are also of concern to the rural transportation provider; however, the primary focus of the rural transportation provider is improved safety. The Greater Yellowstone Rural Intelligent Transportation Systems (GYRITS) corridor comprises a loop roadway system traversing through Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and Grand Teton National Park, connecting Bozeman, Montana with Idaho Falls, Idaho. The combination of varied, often undesirable driving conditions with wildlife, unfamiliar drivers, a diverse traffic stream and a lack of communication infrastructure indicates an immediate and growing need for increased focus on safety. The problems experienced in the GYRITS corridor are common to many rural environments. Hence, it is an ideal location to showcase field operational demonstrations of advanced technologies. The intent of this study was to recommend applications and consider implications of Automated Highway Systems (AHS) in a rural environment. This study focused on developing an applicable AHS for the GYRITS corridor that would ultimately increase safety and improve operation.

OBJECTIVE:

The goal of this project is to enhance the quality of life for rural residents and travelers through more safe and efficient movements of goods and people using judicious applications of advanced vehicle control technologies. An evolutionary deployment process will be followed, which allows transportation system users and providers to gradually realize the tangible benefits of deploying advanced vehicle control technologies.