Utilization of the ITS onboard system architecture.

The intelligent transportation systems (ITS) onboard system architecture (SA) was constructed using the object-oriented method and consists of the logical architecture and physical architecture. The former architecture defines 45 sub-services to be provided via in-vehicle systems, and the latter architecture represents the results of a study concerning the optimum functional configuration at each stage of development envisioned for ITS in the years 2003, 2008 and 2018. After the resulting data were compiled into comprehensive reports, discussions were held on ways of enabling people participating in ITS projects to use this mammoth body of complicated information effectively to accomplish the objectives of their work. Toward that end, the data were organized into a database so that people involved in ITS projects can access essential information whenever necessary in carrying out their activities even if they are not specialists. Another purpose was to enable designers to make use of the information as fundamental data for designing individual systems with the object-oriented method. The data stored in the database were then analyzed from the standpoint of commonality among communication paths, information and sub-services in order to identify major ITS-related items that should be standardized. The results of that analysis were compiled into "standardization guidelines" for reference by organizations responsible for developing related standards. In addition, an information architecture was constructed with an eye toward promoting the development of standards for traveler information services. That involved specifying the details of information regarding services related to the ITS onboard SA and analyzing the value of information from a business standpoint. Furthermore, this information architecture was expressed concretely to the application level with the aim of promoting the development of standard specifications concerning next-generation applications and the formation of a consensus among related industries. A case study was also carried out for the purpose of preparing plans for conducting a field trial.