NTCIP Transportation Sensor Systems (TSS) Working Group	Status Report	
G. Curtis Herrick, Chairman 			(772) 781-1685
Bruce Schopp, Manager Transportation. Systems   	(703) 841-3231		Teleconference
August 8, 2003	

Overview

The selection of Transportation Sensor System as a name for what was originally regarded as “advanced sensors” stemmed from the realization that modern sensing devices extend well beyond the simple detection of automobiles and now include light-rail vehicles, pedestrians, and many other modes of transportation.  In addition, modern detection devices are now viewed as sensing systems, rather than simple sensors or detectors.  As a result, the name Transportation Sensor System has evolved to identify a class of technology that is used for detection within the transportation community. 

A Transportation Sensor System (TSS) is defined as any system capable of sensing and communicating real-time traffic parameters using the National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol (NTCIP).  

The scope of the TSS working group is to prepare object definitions for Transportation Sensor Systems within the NTCIP framework.  Initial work has defined a series of three conformance groups that accompany two basic or mandatory groups from the Global Objects Definitions Standard.  The groups are defined as Setup, Control, Data Collection, Time Management, and Report.  Except for Data Collection, the conformance groups are mandatory. The TSS work-plan seeks to define a basic set of technology independent objects for use with currently available TSS feature sets and a set of objects specific for use with inductive loop detectors.  Longer-term work-plans might include additional needs in the areas of data collection, incident detection, and emerging technology.

Meeting Schedule and Progress

The TSS Working Group is pleased to announce the completion of NTCIP 1209 - Data Element Definitions for Transportation Sensor Systems.  Version 01.18 was approved as a Recommended Standard at the February meeting of the NTCUP Joint Committee and referred to the SDOs for final balloting.

Proposed Completion Schedule

Proposed schedule for completion of the TSS standards document is as follows:
Target Completion Date: 
The TSS standard was approved as a Recommended Standard at the February meeting of the NTCUP Joint Committee and referred to the SDOs for final balloting.

Outstanding Tasks for NTCIP 1209:

No outstanding tasks for NTCIP 1209 at this time.  Final balloting continues.

Future Work Items:

Additional work will be conducted on submitted work plans as approved by the NTCIP Joint Committee.  

As a result of the Signals Workshop held in Seattle, the TSS WG will consider the needs presented on the topic of Detectors and will propose new work items accordingly.