Sep 29, 2020
The updating and further development of a European ITS framework architecture is fundamental for the implementation of the activities of the National ITS Action Plan. The FRAME NEXT project works on creating a common pan-European ITS architecture.
The current project FRAME NEXT evaluates existing ITS architectures and their implementations. The analysis covers ITS developments such as Cooperative ITS (C-ITS), networked mobility, real-time traffic information, traffic management, secure and protected truck parking information and eCall. Each version of the FRAME architecture and reference implementations are published on the FRAME website. This allows the existing FRAME architecture to be continuously improved and extended.
Because of its geographical location, Austria is interesting for ITS architecture: "We are located in the middle of Europe. This means that many of the trans-European transport networks cross Austria. Therefore, everything delivered and developed within the scope of ITS must be consistent with what our neighbours implement in their own countries and with the systems used by travellers on our roads," explains Alexander Frötscher, Technical Advisor at AustriaTech. The ITS architecture supports EU-wide ITS and transport solutions.
If you as a traveller use a regularly available navigation app that uses open standards, you can be sure that the traffic information can be received. This is currently the status of implementation of ITS in Austria. "In order to further expand the channels for information transfer, we are also active in the C-ITS area. After all, the more vehicles have C-ITS on board, the more traffic information can be distributed to users in a timely and complete manner," says Frötscher. In addition to the possibility of receiving information and thus being able to start a comfortable journey, C-ITS can also improve traffic safety. Energy savings and the reduction of CO2 emissions are also possible with high-quality traffic information.
Today, ITS systems are usually integrated with existing legacy systems and other external systems when they provide data or formulate queries. One of the major advantages of the FRAME architecture is that connections to external systems can be modelled and built up in a so-called context diagram. This makes it possible to trace data streams in detail and to learn about the data flow of an (unknown) external system.
By implementing a new tool (Enterprise Architect), it is now possible to provide users with a model that contains all elements and artefacts that have been developed and tested so far. Thus, not only can all components be used, but also further developed if necessary. In addition, a toolbox will now be available, so that all elements can also be used for one's own work with the architecture. As a starting point, the FRAME NEXT project analyzed the functions of the National Access Points of various countries and then anchored the jointly-used ones as functions in Enterprise Architect.
If you move across borders, you wish for continuous offers / continuous traffic information. For this, the "data providers" need a common understanding of tasks and processes. These processes, as well as the required interfaces, must match in terms of content, organization and technology so that information can be transferred without any problems.
ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) are systems in which information and communication technologies are used in transport (including infrastructures, vehicles, users), in traffic and mobility management and for interfaces between modes of transport. The systems collect data (e.g. traffic and/or environmental data) and evaluate them in an "intelligent" way.
ITS framework architecture defines the building blocks, interfaces and design principles for ITS elements.
ITS architecture specifies the principles for different ITS services as defined by the ITS framework architecture.
ITS reference architecture is the legally compliant implementation of relevant ITS reference architectures in a concrete use case - an example: the National Access Point.
