Abstract
US DOT "Rural ITS Strategic Plan" has identified seven Critical Program Areas (CPAs) as the major deployment targets for rural ITS. All of them need some type of modern wireless communication technology support. For optimal design of the desirable range of Advanced Rural Transportation System (ARTS) services, it is necessary to analyze and evaluate wireless communications options for the rural environment. This research reviews wireless communication systems and technologies, and provides an assessment of their potential technical feasibility in rural ITS applications. (A*)