Application Areas
Application areas are deployment-oriented categories that focus on commonly deployed ITS
services or systems. Application areas provide a starting point for identifying the ITS
standards that may be relevant
to a specific type of deployment.
The architecture flows in the National ITS Architecture may be categorized based on interface classes. Each interface class is further subdivided into application areas. Interface classes are defined by the type of system at each end of the architecture flow: center, field, vehicle, and traveler. An application area within the center-to-field interface class would include bidirectional communication between a center system (e.g., traffic management subsystem) and a field system (e.g., roadway subsystem).
To determine which standards may be applicable, first identify the interface class for which you are looking for a standard, then find the application area within that interface class that best describes the project component. ITS projects could include a single application area (such as a dynamic message sign deployment) or more than one application area (traveler information collection from various centers and dissemination of the information to travelers). Use the table below to learn more about application areas and associated standards.
| National ITS Architecture Interface Class | Standards Application Areas |
|---|---|
| Center to Center - This class of application areas includes interfaces between transportation management centers. |
Data Archival Incident Management Rail Coordination Traffic Management Transit Management Traveler Information |
| Center to Field - This class of application areas includes interfaces between a management center and its field equipment (e.g., traffic monitoring, traffic control, environmental monitoring, driver information, security monitoring, and lighting control). |
Data Collection/Monitoring Dynamic Message Signs Environmental Monitoring Lighting Management Traffic Metering Traffic Signals Vehicle Sensors Video Surveillance |
| Center to Vehicle/Traveler - This class of application areas includes interfaces between a center and the devices used by drivers or travelers. It includes interfaces with motorists and travelers for exchange of traveler and emergency information as well as interfaces between management centers and fleet vehicles to support vehicle fleet management. |
Mayday Transit Vehicle Communications Traveler Information |
| Field to Field - This class of application areas includes interfaces between field equipment, such as between wayside equipment and signal equipment at a highway rail intersection. |
Highway Rail Intersection (HRI) |
| Field to Vehicle - This class of application areas includes wireless communication interfaces between field equipment and vehicles on the road. |
Probe Surveillance Signal Priority/Preemption Toll/Fee Collection Vehicle Safety |
| Vehicle to Vehicle (On Board and Vehicle Coord) - This class of application areas includes communications links between devices on-board a vehicle as well as direct wireless communications links between vehicles. |
Vehicle Safety |
Note that not all possible application areas in the National ITS Architecture are included in the table above. This is because application areas are only included if they are currently represented by an approved or published ITS standard. As additional ITS standards become available, more application areas will be added to the table.
Additional resources are available for ITS deployers on the USDOT ITS JPO's Standards Site. For each application area, there are references to fact sheets, ITS standards advisories, case study reports, and field support contact information.
